Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera)

The leaves of the coconut tree are pinnate

Few palm trees are as popular as the Cocos nucifera. Its long, pinnate leaves and its slender trunk have made it a highly desired plant, as its fruit is also edible. However, its cultivation outdoors is not easy at all if the weather is not good, and even having it indoors is a challenge that is often not overcome.

And it is that so that it can be well it needs that not only there are no frosts at any time of the year, but that the temperature must be warm and the humidity high, otherwise it will not take long to dry. For all these reasons, we are going to tell you all about this magnificent but difficult palm tree.

Origin and characteristics

The coconut tree is a tropical palm tree

Our protagonist is a palm tree whose scientific name is Cocos nucifera, but it is known as a coconut tree. It is a plant native to the tropical coasts of Asia or America, it is not yet clear. What is known is that today it grows naturally on both continents, in areas that enjoy a mild-warm and humid climate during the twelve months of the year.

It can easily exceed ten meters, and even reach 30m. Its leaves are pinnate and long, with a length of up to 3-6m. It produces female and male flowers on the same inflorescence. Once they are pollinated, the fruit begins to ripen, which is a round drupe weighing 1-2kg. The trunk is quite thin, with a thickness of 40-50cm in diameter.

Its life expectancy is 100 years.

Varieties

There are many varieties differentiated above all by the color of the coconut (yellow or green), but also by its height. For instance:

  • Giant varieties: they are used for the production of oil and the fruits to consume them fresh. Among them are the Giant of Malaysia, High of Jamaica, Indian of Ceylon, or the Java High.
  • Dwarf varieties: They are mainly used to produce packaged beverages, and as ornamental plants in small gardens. The most popular is the Malaysian Dwarf.
  • Hybrids: they produce fruits of medium or large size, with good flavor. The most cultivated is MAPAN VIC 14, which is a cross between the Malaysian Dwarf and the Upper Panama and Colombia.

What are their cares?

The coconut tree is a fast growing palm tree

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

  • Interior: it must be in a room with plenty of natural light, away from drafts (both cold and warm) and with high humidity. The latter can be achieved by putting glasses of water around it, or spraying it once a day only during the summer (do not do it during the rest of the year as the leaves could rot).
  • Body exterior:: always in semi-shade, unless the climate is warm tropical, in which case the following year after purchase you should gradually and gradually accustom it to the sun.

Earth

  • Flower pot: universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.
  • Garden: the soil must be fertile, with good drainage. It can be gritty.

Irrigation

Watering has to be frequent, especially during the summer. Water it every 2-3 days in summer and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.

Subscriber

Throughout the growing season you must pay Cocos nucifera with ecological fertilizers once a month. You just have to keep in mind that if you have it in a pot, these fertilizers must be liquid so that the soil does not lose its filtering capacity.

Pruning

It is not necessary. You just have to remove the dry leaves and withered flowers.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds in spring-summer. The way to proceed is as follows:

  1. The first thing to do is to acquire a coconut that is healthy, that is, one that is not soft and that has the three germination points intact - blackish in color.
  2. Then, you have to fill a pot of about 35-40cm in diameter with vermiculite previously moistened with water.
  3. Then the coconut is placed right in the center and covered more or less halfway with vermiculite.
  4. The pot is then placed outside in full sun or at home near a heat source.
  5. Finally, it is watered so that the substrate does not lose moisture.

Thus, will germinate in about 2 months.

Harvest

The coconuts they can be in the plant from 5 to 6 months according to varieties. They must be collected as soon as they have reached their final size.

Rusticity

Can't stand cold or frost. The minimum temperature must be 18ºC or higher.

What uses does it have?

The coconut tree can exceed ten meters in height

Ornamental

El Cocos nucifera It is a very beautiful palm tree, so much so that it is not usually missing in any tropical garden. Either as an isolated specimen or in groups, it looks great.

As a substrate

And one of the best, too. Coconut fiber is ideal for a wide variety of plants, as it It has a high water and nutrient retention capacity., and at the same time allows the roots to be well aerated. For this reason, it is widely used in nurseries, but also in the transplant of acid plants, such as azaleas, camellias, or heather.

Culinary

It is undoubtedly the best known use. Once opened, the fresh white part is consumed, and from the coconuts that are still green, their water is drunk as if it were a refreshing drink.

Its nutritional value per 100 grams is as follows:

  • Carbohydrates: 15,23g
    • Sugars: 6,23g
    • Fiber: 9g
  • Fats: 33,49g
    • saturated: 29,70g
    • monounsaturated: 1,43g
    • polyunsaturated: 0,37g
  • Proteins: 3,3g
    • Vitamin B1: 0,066mg
    • Vitamin B2: 0,02mg
    • Vitamin B3: 0,54mg
    • Vitamin B5: 0,3mg
    • Vitamin B6: 0,054mg
    • Vitamin B9: 24μg
    • Vitamin C: 3,3mg
    • Calcium: 14mg
    • Iron: 2,43mg
    • Magnesium: 32mg
    • Phosphorus: 11mg
    • Potassium: 356mg
    • Zinc: 1,1mg

Medicinal

Its fruits are used as diuretics, emollients, vermifuges y laxatives.

Coconut trees can grow close together

What did you think of this palm tree?


2 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Silvia said

    Excellent contribution, but it would be great to have a date and year to refer correctly.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello, it was published on 18/09/2018. Thank you.