Cocos nucifera

Coconut, or coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), is the only representative of its genus. This palm in places of natural growth reaches a significant height (up to 30 m), but at home, where it is grown as an ornamental-leaved crop, limited to the early stage of development, it grows up to 2.5 m. In nature, it is a species with a life expectancy of up to 100 years, but it does not live long in indoor conditions. Coconut palm is distinguished by large feathery curved leaves collected in a rosette at the top of the shoot. In adult specimens, a real trunk develops, the foliage ages, the plant enters fruiting, forming nuts. Coconut is also often called syagrus, or Weddel's coconut (Syagrus weddeliana, or Cocos weddeliana), a small palm tree up to 2 m high, characterized by slow growth. In a pot, it usually reaches a modest size-from 50 cm to 1 m both in height and in diameter. Curved pinnate compound leaves are composed of numerous long and narrow (10-15 cm long, 0.5 cm wide) lobes, dark green on the upper side and bluish-green on the lower side. On sale under the name "dwarf coconut" there is also an areca palm (Areca catehu), belonging to the genus Areca (Areca). Its size in container cultivation is smaller than that of the potted version of the coconut palm.

Coconut, or coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), is the only representative of its genus. This palm in places of natural growth reaches a significant height (up to 30 m), but at home, where it is grown as an ornamental-leaved crop, limited to the early stage of development, it grows up to 2.5 m. In nature, it is a species with a life expectancy of up to 100 years, but it does not live long in indoor conditions.

Coconut palm is distinguished by large feathery curved leaves collected in a rosette at the top of the shoot. In adult specimens, a real trunk develops, the foliage ages, the plant enters fruiting, forming nuts.

Coconut is also often called syagrus, or Weddel's coconut (Syagrus weddeliana, or Cocos weddeliana), a small palm tree up to 2 m high, characterized by slow growth. In a pot, it usually reaches a modest size-from 50 cm to 1 m both in height and in diameter. Curved pinnate compound leaves are composed of numerous long and narrow (10-15 cm long, 0.5 cm wide) lobes, dark green on the upper side and bluish-green on the lower side.

On sale under the name "dwarf coconut" there is also an areca palm (Areca catehu), belonging to the genus Areca (Areca). Its size in container cultivation is smaller than that of the potted version of the coconut palm.

Cultivation

Coconut palm is grown outdoors only in tropical climates, at other latitudes it is bred exclusively as a houseplant. A single coconut is planted in a container with earth, and after a while a bunch of leaves resembling a fish tail grows. Siagrus Weddel is also grown singly, sometimes in compositions with other plants. This species is particularly suitable for terrariums. Both palms are short-lived at home, because the root system does not fully develop in the pot. The substrate should consist of a mixture of peat and sand in equal amounts. Very good drainage is required to avoid water stagnation and possible root rot. When planting on a bucket of land, 10 g of full mineral fertilizer is applied, or in spring and summer, the same fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days at the rate of 10 g per bucket.

Coconut palm is grown outdoors only in tropical climates, at other latitudes it is bred exclusively as a houseplant. A single coconut is planted in a container with earth, and after a while a bunch of leaves resembling a fish tail grows.

Siagrus Weddel is also grown singly, sometimes in compositions with other plants. This species is particularly suitable for terrariums. Both palms are short-lived at home, because the root system does not fully develop in the pot.

The substrate should consist of a mixture of peat and sand in equal amounts. Very good drainage is required to avoid water stagnation and possible root rot. When planting on a bucket of land, 10 g of full mineral fertilizer is applied, or in spring and summer, the same fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days at the rate of 10 g per bucket.

Location

For these palm trees, it is preferable to have as much light as possible, but not in direct sunlight.

Temperature

The room temperature should not fall below 15-18 °C.

Watering

Coconut palm is watered quite moderately. Avoid filling the walnut so that it doesn't rot. Siagrus Weddel in the summer months is watered a little more abundantly and more often. In winter, it is enough for both species to keep the soil slightly moist. To increase the humidity of the air, the plant can be sprayed or placed on a pallet with wet pebbles.

Transplant

Coconut trees do not need frequent transplanting into a new pot. She is content with a very small amount of land, and a pot in which the nut is placed is enough for her. Usually, it is transplanted into a new container every 2-3 years in the spring. Siagrus Weddel is transplanted in the spring, if the roots no longer fit in the pot. Choose a slightly larger pot than the previous one and use the same substrate.

Coconut trees do not need frequent transplanting into a new pot. She is content with a very small amount of land, and a pot in which the nut is placed is enough for her. Usually, it is transplanted into a new container every 2-3 years in the spring.

Siagrus Weddel is transplanted in the spring, if the roots no longer fit in the pot.

Choose a slightly larger pot than the previous one and use the same substrate.

Care

The leaves are periodically wiped with a damp cloth or sponge. The use of lustrating solutions is not recommended.

Reproduction

Plants are grown from nuts that germinate well in conditions of high temperature (27-30 °C) and high humidity (90-100%).

Diseases

Palm leaves often turn brown if they are exposed to direct sunlight, or if the room is too dry. Rearrange the plant and spray it more often. Excessive watering can cause the nut to rot; in this case, stop watering temporarily.

Acquisition

Coconut palm and Weddel syagrus can be easily found in flower nurseries, gardening centers, and some flower shops. Choose palm trees with healthy leaves. Make sure that the coconut tree nut is not rotten.