Coconut Trees - Advice On Planting.

[Cuban]

Planning and planting for the future, we are looking at the best locations within our land to plant coconut trees.

I partly want the height and shade as well as the nuts from trees that are about 10 metres plus tall.

(I have an idea about interspacing Banana between the coconut trees. )

I understand that they product nuts from about three years.

I assume that buying and planting young trees is the best soloution rather than putting nuts in the ground.

Is there different varities to choose from? I guess at about 30 trees in total in small groups around the land, so having different types would be a good idea for disease resistance (?) and cross pollenation (?).

I believe that coconut is salt tolerant, which is nice as part of my land is a little salty, I was going to turn that section into a pond but trees might be better solution as its location would give some afternoon shade in the garden area.

Partly as a result of reading this thread, I am futher inspired by these nuts.

Any thoughts or experiances most welcomed.

[sbk]

There are different varieties of coconuts, some are not quite so tall. Where were you planning on growing them?

They produce fruit year round, harvesting about every 3 months. Interplanting is fine, just make sure you don't plant something that needs full sun.

Salt tolerant, yes, not sure if it depends on the variety or not. But we have producing trees right on the high water line (well, its the high water line now, didn't used to be) and they are fine. 30 trees isn't much considering what they go for. Have you considered growing the smaller coconut (the one sold for drinking)? They have a higher income yield.

[Cuban]

Hi SBK,

> ...some are not quite so tall. Where were you planning on growing them?

The location is just outside Khon Kaen, the trees will be partly to create shade near the garden next to the house (sitting out area) and partly to provide screening from the houses of a nearby village, 300 metres away.

Some of the land is wet (clean water), on purpose to keep run off water from a neigbouring high level field in one place rather than drain across my land taking my top soil away. I already have an extended moat effect to prevent the loss of soil each rainy season. The house's plot is only 3.5 Rai.

> Interplanting is fine, just make sure you don't plant something that needs full sun.

I have a local friend that has banana growing under his larger trees, seems to work for him, the banana suffers less wind damage being protected by the bigger coconut trees.

> Salt tolerant, yes, not sure if it depends on the variety or not.

Great, this section of salty soil borders the edge of the "main" road so 5 metre trees are fine for screening and the barbed wire fence "should" reduce natural losses from these trees. This area's soil is slighty salty.

> 30 trees isn't much considering what they go for. Have you considered growing the

> smaller coconut (the one sold for drinking)? They have a higher income yield.

That figure is based on looking at mature trees in existing settings, with about 7-10 metres space between larger trees, we are not looking to grow a crop to sell but for our own use. As building things high up runs in the family I was considering building a means of easy access to collect the nuts without having to keep a pet monkey to do this for us. Also having larger established trees planted at the outer edge to provide height with younger or a dwarf spieces closer to the house again for screening / effect.

BTW. The spiky red things you put me onto last year are doing will, they really hurt when I was removing the dead leafs yesterday. Thanks again.

[sbk]

OK, since I live in coconut land I have to tell you that I wouldn't necessarily plant coconut trees next to a house. The leaves are quite big and heavy and in a strong wind take off like they have sails. Coconuts drop from time to time, sometimes rather randomly, and I wouldn't put one anywhere near where I was planning on having a sitting area. The roots form a very large ball like structure as well as spread quite far so I wouldn't build it too close to any foundation either.

You don't need monkeys or to build anything to harvest your coconuts, but a strong arm, a good eye and fast reflexes. A long bamboo pole with a scythe like blade attached to the end.

Taken from this photoblog of the Phillipines http: //my_sarisari_store.typepad.com/my_sarisari_store/2007/02/index.html--has quite a few coconut photos including how to make the stick.

[meandwi]

Start with good seeds. There is a disease called lethal yellowing that can damage a field. Select seed from a field with deep green fronds and nuts. Start them yourself by planting them halfway in some compost. After they have sprouted and have exposed roots transplant them to the desired location. If you can buy, Dwarf green malayan coconut palm sprouts, buy them. It's worth it.

You will see flowers in 2 to 3 years, with fruit in 6 to 9 months. dont prune the fronds too often, this will cause a thin trunk. Let them fall naturally if possible.

Bananas need alot of sun so keep this in mind when planting them also.

Plant a few at least 15 feet apart. This will allow enough space for a hammock

good luck

meandwi

Edited March 8, 2008 by meandwi

[Makyai]

Start with good seeds. There is a disease called lethal yellowing that can damage a field. Select seed from a field with deep green fronds and nuts. Start them yourself by planting them halfway in some compost. After they have sprouted and have exposed roots transplant them to the desired location. If you can buy, Dwarf green malayan coconut palm sprouts, buy them. It's worth it.

You will see flowers in 2 to 3 years, with fruit in 6 to 9 months. dont prune the fronds too often, this will cause a thin trunk. Let them fall naturally if possible.

Bananas need alot of sun so keep this in mind when planting them also.

Plant a few at least 15 feet apart. This will allow enough space for a hammock

good luck

meandwi

meandwi,

Do you know the Thai name for the dwarf green malayan coconut palm? I think these are the ones I see from time to time and would love to plant them at our place. Thanks for the help.

Makyai

[Cuban]

This will allow enough space for a hammock

....add a lime tree, fish pulled fresh from the pond, a small BBQ and a few beers - this should give you the total overview of the planting scheme and garden layout.

[meandwi]

Start with good seeds. There is a disease called lethal yellowing that can damage a field. Select seed from a field with deep green fronds and nuts. Start them yourself by planting them halfway in some compost. After they have sprouted and have exposed roots transplant them to the desired location. If you can buy, Dwarf green malayan coconut palm sprouts, buy them. It's worth it.

You will see flowers in 2 to 3 years, with fruit in 6 to 9 months. dont prune the fronds too often, this will cause a thin trunk. Let them fall naturally if possible.

Bananas need alot of sun so keep this in mind when planting them also.

Plant a few at least 15 feet apart. This will allow enough space for a hammock

good luck

meandwi

meandwi,

Do you know the Thai name for the dwarf green malayan coconut palm? I think these are the ones I see from time to time and would love to plant them at our place. Thanks for the help.

Makyai

There are alot of varieties of dwarf green coconuts. The most popular are Maphrao,, "nam hom", " Thung Khled", "Nok Koom", and "nam wan". If you can find a Maphrao "kathi" These are the best, but difficult to find. The main coconuts grown here are called "Pak Chok" and "Thalai Roi " These two are not that good. Lots of husk, little meat, and not as sweet. "Maphrao Yai" or "Thai Tall", are the main coconuts grown by commercial growers. They are tall varieties but are very sweet.

If you see a local field that is healthy and deep green, and they have fronds sprouting from fallen nuts. Ask to purchase a few, and if they know the variety? At least you will be getting a good tree. You will want to cut off 1/3 of each frond after planting to help reduce shock.

Good luck

meandwi