How to care for coconut palm at home. Coconut palm: reproduction. Coconut palm: replanting. Coconut palm: cultivation. Conditions necessary for growing palm trees.

COCONUT PALM (Cocos nucifera)

The coconut palm has very sparse, long leaves grouped in pairs, forming a frond. The frond emerges directly from a nut lying in a pot and half buried in the soil.

As the plant develops, the lower branches die off and new ones appear at the top of the main stem; thus, over time, a palm tree trunk is formed.

The coconut palm grows very slowly, and is usually bought as a curiosity. The main condition when caring for it is to ensure that the nut does not rot. Under no circumstances should water come into contact with it - neither during watering nor when spraying.

Coconut palm. Conditions of detention

Illumination: full sunlight.

Temperature: in winter - not lower than 18 °C. In summer, the plant tolerates temperatures up to 27 °C.

Coconut palm watering: make sure that the soil is always slightly moist; In summer, water the palm tree 1-2 times a week. Do not allow water to come into contact with the nut and do not leave the pot sitting in a tray of water.

Air humidity: Mist regularly as the coconut tree needs high humidity. When spraying, remember that drops of water remaining on the leaves can cause burns. Place the pot in a tray of wet pebbles or place it in a container of damp peat moss.

Palm tree feeding: in summer, every 3 weeks, feed the palm tree with fertilizers for indoor plants, diluted with water. Use half the concentration recommended by the manufacturer.

Palm soil: a mixture of 2 parts clay soil mixture with 1 part peat and 1 part sand. If possible, add a little vermiculite (2 tablespoons per 17cm pot). Good drainage is necessary.

Palm tree transplant: when the old pot becomes too small, transplant the palm tree into the next largest pot. Alternatively, replace only the top layer of soil (about 3 cm) with fresh mixture to avoid damaging the roots. Very big plant(about 2m high) may require a heavier 3-part mixture clay soil, 1 part peat and 1 part coarse sand.

Care appearance palm trees: Gently wipe the plant with a damp sponge. Never use leaf polish.

Coconut palm. Features of care

After drinking. Check the condition of the soil: if it is dry and crumbly, the plant needs watering. The soil should be slightly moist. Pour water into the pot very carefully so that it does not get on the nut. After 15 minutes, pour out excess water from the pan.

The palm family is represented in home floriculture by a large number of varieties. And they attract with their exotic appearance, a reminder of the bright sun and warm sea, which is so lacking for residents of cold regions. Not all palm trees are suitable for growing indoors, but only those that can withstand the conditions they offer.

Coconut palm nut has become popular in recent years as an unusual exotic delicacy. But in addition to food use, the aborigines used brown palm fibers to make clothing, ropes, and souvenirs. Thanks to the hard shell, the halves of the nut played the role of utensils. A coconut palm can also be grown on a windowsill, although it is very difficult to get fruit from it.

In nature, coconut palms reach up to thirty meters in height. In tubs they can be smaller - six meters. How decorative element Of interest are the Weddel palm and the nut-bearing palm.

Top glossy smooth trunk The coconut palm is decorated with delicate feathery leaves. They have the ability to bend in the form of an arc, looking down with their tips. Because tropical plant belongs to the monoecious species, then it contains both female and male flowers. They crossbreed. The nut-bearing type of coconut has long and wide leaves, arranged vertically.

A palm tree rarely bears fruit if appropriate conditions are created for it.

Coconuts can be edible or inedible, and vary in color - brown, yellow, orange, green. The drupe fruit is covered with a hard shell, which consists of two layers - the pericarp and the mesocarp. The third fibrous layer is called the endocarp. They are used to make various household items and clothing. Coconut is grown in spacious rooms, where it can grow for up to seven years or more, delighting with bright greenery.

There is one way to propagate a coconut palm - by seeds. The drupe fruit is planted in prepared soil, and after some time green shoots will appear.

The breeding sequence is as follows:

1. The outer shell of the nut must be preserved for planting.
2. The fruit is dipped for three days in a container with warm water.
3. Soil consisting half of peat and sand is poured into the prepared pot.
4. Before immersing the nut in the soil, it is well moistened.
5. Having placed the coconut fruit horizontally, it is deepened, leaving one third above the surface.

Greenhouse conditions are created for the container with nuts:

• The air temperature in the room should not fall beyond plus 25 degrees, and the humidity should reach 80 percent.
• For rapid development, the plant needs regular.
• Moisten the emerging leaves and the air around them with a weak solution of sea salt.
• To speed up the process, placing the container with the nut in plastic bag. But it is necessary to ventilate the soil daily.

Usually after creation tropical conditions in six months the palm fruit will sprout. To propagate a coconut, no special knowledge is required, only patience and care.

As soon as the coconut seedlings have two or three leaves, they can be transplanted to permanent place. A larger pot or tub is chosen for the tropical tree so that the roots have free space in it during constant growth. Fill with soil consisting of two parts of humus with leaves, light loam, add one part of sand, peat mixture and a little charcoal. Soil acidity should be minimal.

Before placing the sprout in a new pot, the soil is well moistened.

The ideal place for growing a coconut palm is considered to be a greenhouse or winter garden. After all, a tropical tree needs light, warmth and more humidity.

If the planting rules are followed, the palm tree will begin to develop quickly, reaching a height of three meters and above. Therefore, before you think about growing coconut in room conditions, it is necessary to calculate whether there is enough space for the tree.

Features of palm tree care include the following parameters:

• The plant needs as much light as possible, but it should not burn the leaves. In the southwestern and eastern parts of the house, the sun gives scattered rays. There will be enough light for the palm tree. If such corners are not found in the house, then you will have to organize additional lighting. Artificial illumination is carried out using fluorescent lamps.
• It is better to constantly moisten the air around the coconut tree using a spray bottle. It is important that the water droplets only fall on the leaves.
• The soil requires constant watering with water at room temperature. The liquid must be left to settle before watering.
• During active growth the tree is fed. This should be done at least once a month.
• The palm tree is replanted every year until it reaches the age of 3-4 years. Then they try not to disturb the plant, updating the top layer of soil in the container with humus. Transplant mature tree It is possible when the pot has become small, the roots have filled the entire space. The method of replanting is by transshipment, keeping a lump of earth on the roots.
• At the end of autumn, dry branches and leaves are cut off. If sheet plates darkened or changed color, it is better to leave them as an additional supplier of nutrients.
• During the dormant period, the palm tree is watered less and fed rarely.

Coconut grows quickly in indoor conditions if appropriate conditions are created for it and proper care is provided.

Among the diseases coconut tree Fungal pathologies are more common. Humid indoor air promotes the development of pathogenic microorganisms. The disease can be detected by the presence of spots on the leaves and rotting of the roots. The plant begins to wither and stops growing. And here spraying with fungicidal agents will cope with pathological symptoms: Fundazol,. The frequency of treatment of a diseased tree is once every two weeks. Carrying out the procedure three times will get rid of the disease.

To prevent the spread of fungi, moderate air humidity and remove the flower pot from direct sunlight. If the roots are damaged by rot, be sure to transplant the coconut palm into another container. During the procedure, diseased roots, stems, and leaves are cut off, and the plant is placed in a Cuprosan solution for some time.

More information can be found in the video:

Syn: coconut.

The coconut palm is one of the most widespread and valuable tropical trees for humans. In the tropics, the coconut palm is not only a source of food, but also a means of livelihood for numerous farmers. The coconut palm is one of the ten most important trees in the world.

Ask the experts a question

Flower formula

Coconut palm flower formula: *♂ H3L3T3+3; *♀ CH3L3P(3).

In medicine

Coconut oil, obtained from palm fruits, official medicine used in the manufacture of medicinal ointments and suppositories. And coconut milk is used in folk medicine countries where the plant grows in case of severe vomiting to prevent dehydration. Also in traditional medicine, coconut milk is used as a diuretic and antiseptic.

Coconut oil has long been used in Ayurveda ( traditional system Indian medicine).

Contraindications and side effects

It is better not to consume the fruits of the coconut palm for people with a tendency to excess weight and diarrhea. Coconuts are also contraindicated for hyperthyroidism.

Contraindications for use coconut oil almost none, but if you are hypersensitive, allergic reactions or food poisoning may occur. It is recommended to use coconut during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood strictly after consultation with a specialist.

In cooking

The inner part of the fruit of the coconut palm, as well as coconut milk, is used for culinary purposes. Coconut milk is a pleasant-tasting and thirst-quenching clear liquid found inside an unripe coconut. The contents of the ripe nut are called copru. Copra is white or cream in color and is soft, sweet and oily.

In Indonesia, India, and the Caribbean, unripe coconuts are served whole, but with the top cut off. Coconut milk is drunk through a straw, and the tasty white pulp is scraped out with a special long-handled spoon.

The dried and crushed flesh of coconuts is highly valued in Food Industry and is used primarily to obtain coconut oil. Coconut oil is colorless, has a pleasant smell and taste, does not smoke when burned and is widely used in cooking and in the confectionery industry.

Partially defatted and ground coconut copra is used as a flavoring in baby food.

Juice containing about 14.6% sugar is extracted from palm inflorescences, from which crystalline raw palm sugar is prepared by evaporation. Brown. After fermenting the juice of the inflorescences, wine is obtained, and after distillation, the alcoholic drink “arrack” is obtained.

Coconut oil is used as a sweetener in coffee, and can also be used as a substitute. sunflower oil when frying foods. It has a high smoke point, so during frying it releases much less harmful substances.

Palm oil can be used in salad dressings and on toast, and can be used in baked goods, including pies, cookies or baked goods, which include a large number of vegetable fats. You can also grease pastry molds with coconut oil before baking to prevent the dish from sticking to the walls.

Dried and crushed coconut pulp is sprinkled on confectionery products, it is added to cereals, desserts, milk soups, ice cream, tropical cocktails, and candies. Coconut milk is a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans, and coconut water is popular among those looking to lose weight. Many Asian dishes, various drinks, cocktails, desserts and semi-finished products are prepared using coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut water.

In cosmetology

Coconut oil is actively used in cosmetology as a nourishing and rejuvenating agent for the skin. Since the time of Queen Cleopatra, its beneficial properties have been known.

The use of coconut oil helps maintain the health and beauty of any skin type, but it helps especially well with dry, flaky, rough and aging facial skin.

The oil has excellent nourishing, softening and moisturizing properties and, after application, forms a kind of protective film on the skin, which maintains its optimal moisture balance for a long time.

In addition, coconut oil not only smoothes the skin and shallow wrinkles, but also increases the overall tone, firmness and elasticity of the skin. Experts recommend coconut oil when caring for sensitive, inflamed and irritated skin.

Coconut oil is also good as a sunscreen and as a moisturizer after sunbathing.

You can use pure coconut oil both instead of a nourishing night cream and as a protective face cream in severe frost and wind.

Coconut oil can be rubbed into the skin around the nails, this will relieve the skin from dryness and peeling cuticles. Coconut oil is also used instead of hygienic lipstick and lip balms.

You can also use coconut oil for hair care: it can perfectly replace store-bought conditioner or hair balm. A hair mask made from heated coconut oil will help strengthen and add shine to your hair. Massaging your scalp with coconut oil will help get rid of dandruff and prevent it from recurring.

Coconut oil can be used to remove makeup and waterproof mascara from eyelashes. Applying a little oil to your eyelashes before bed will strengthen them. Coconut oil can also be used as a shaving cream, as it improves the glide of the blades and moisturizes the skin.

Coconut oil is used in aromatherapy. A light massage of the scalp and temples with your fingertips lubricated with coconut oil relieves stress and is very relaxing.

Coconut oil also has pronounced foaming and cleansing properties, which allows it to be used in soap making.

In other areas

At home

Coconut oil is an excellent product for caring for kitchen utensils ( cutting boards, spoons, spatulas) and furniture. It has disinfectant properties and also protects the tree from drying out. Coconut palm oil restores shine to tarnished metal objects and helps remove rust from their surfaces, adds shine to leather products, removes residues or stains from chewing gum from any surface, even carpets and hair.

Instead of chemical liquids and tablets for lighting a barbecue, you can use cotton balls pre-moistened with coconut oil.

In crop production

The coconut palm is a huge tree, so it is recommended for growing in spacious winter gardens. For good growth coconut tree needs warm temperature air throughout the year, but especially in winter. IN summer period the plant requires abundant watering, but without excessive soil moisture. From October, watering should be gradually reduced. Palm trees are replanted every two years. When replanting, pay attention to the position of the nut; it should partially protrude above the soil level.

You can also grow a coconut tree from a nut yourself; there are several ways to do this. The most the best option is the purchase of a ready-made palm tree seedling. After purchase, you should transplant the sprout into special soil. Then you need to place the transplanted seedling in a well-lit place and water it regularly.

Another way is to grow palm trees directly from the fruit of the coconut tree. Remove the outer layer of the nut. Scald the cut fruit hot water, and then fill the nut halfway with warm water and place it in a warm place. After about two months, the coconut will begin to sprout. After the sprout appears, you can carefully transplant the coconut into the ground. An important note: when transplanting, only the lower half of the nut should be in the ground.

In other areas

Almost all parts of the coconut tree are used by humans. The hard shells of coconut palm nuts are used to make dishes, crafts, jewelry, souvenirs, musical instruments, valuable charcoal is also obtained from it. The fibrous shell of the nut shell (coir) after soaking turns into hard fiber for mattresses, brushes, and ropes.

Coconut tree trunks are used to build houses, make furniture, boat hulls and masts, and the leaves are used as roofing material. Ropes, mats, brushes, and brooms are made from hardwood fibers.

In tropical countries, coconut oil is being used experimentally as a alternative fuel For Vehicle. Copra cake is fed to dairy cattle in the tropics.

An interesting experiment was carried out many times by scientists in the Hawaiian Islands. An open coconut nut was exposed to the sun, then electrodes were attached to it, so it turned into a battery capable of supplying energy to an ordinary transistor receiver for a month. It turns out that in sunlight and warmth, the rapid development of a special type of bacteria, Aeromonas formicas, begins in the nut pulp. They form formic acid (a component of the so-called biochemical heat cell), which is the basis of the electrolyte for charging transistor batteries. The rapid activity of microorganisms leads to the decomposition of organic substances, turning the nut into a miniature thermal power plant.

Classification

The coconut palm (lat. Cocos nucifera L.) belongs to the genus Coconut (lat. Cocos L.), of the Palm family (lat. Palmae L.).

Botanical description

The coconut palm is a tall, fast-growing tree, reaching a height of up to 30 meters and a diameter of 50-60 cm. The roots are adventitious and horizontal. The trunk is slender, unbranched, curved, with ring-shaped scars from fallen leaf sheaths. At the end of the tapering trunk there is a crown of 20-30 feathery leaves up to 6.5 m long and about 1 m wide, with large sheaths. The plant is monoecious, dioecious, pollinated by insects. The inflorescence is a panicle up to 2 m long. Around each inflorescence is a woody covering leaf that opens when flowering. Flowers of different sexes are collected in one inflorescence: pistillate flowers are at the bottom of the inflorescence, staminate flowers are at the top. The perianth is imbricate, yellowish in color. Male inflorescences bloom earlier. After the male flowers finish flowering, the female flowers bloom to avoid self-pollination. That's why female flowers Coconut palms are pollinated only by pollen from other plants.

The fruit is a coconut, a fibrous drupe consisting of an outer fibrous mass, a hard shell and an endosperm-seed. The endosperm is initially liquid, transparent, sweet and sour, and very pleasant to the taste. One nut can contain up to 0.5 liters of this refreshing liquid. Gradually droplets of fatty oil appear in it, an emulsion is formed white- coconut milk. It has an even more pleasant taste, but it no longer quenches thirst. Gradually, the endosperm hardens, turning into white pulp, the consistency of which is similar to cooked chicken protein.

Spreading

The coconut palm is (presumably) native to Southeast Asia. In the wild and in cultivation, the coconut palm is distributed in the tropical zones of both hemispheres of the Earth. Today, the largest coconut palm plantations are located in Malaysia, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Coconut also grows in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Tanzania, China, Jamaica, Brazil, Nigeria, Vietnam, etc.

Procurement of raw materials

Palm fruits, which are intended for fresh consumption, are harvested 7 months after the plant begins to flower.

At a temperature of 0-1.5 °C, nuts can be stored for up to 2 months, at room conditions - up to 2 weeks.

The fruits for the production of copra and coconut fiber are harvested at full ripeness, approximately 11 months after flowering.

The thick fibrous shell of ripe coconuts is peeled off and then the shell is split in two with a blow of a knife. The nut halves are slightly dried and the pulp is scraped out.

To make coconut oil, the hardened coconut meat is first separated from its hard shell, then the shelled copra is dried and ground. After this, coconut oil with a characteristic delicate, sweetish aroma is obtained from coconut raw materials by pressing.

The most commonly used method is hot pressing, in which at least 300 g is obtained from 1 kilogram of copra. vegetable oil. The more gentle cold-pressing technology, which makes it possible to obtain oil with the highest nutritional and biological value, is more expensive due to the low yield of the finished product.

Coconut oil can be unrefined (unrefined) or refined (deodorized, purified by high pressure). Refined coconut oil differs from unrefined coconut oil in color and transparency. Also, refined coconut oil practically does not have a characteristic pleasant tropical aroma.

Chemical composition

The edible part of the coconut contains from 48.2 to 51.7% dry matter; 26-55% sugars, mainly glucose and fructose; 3.2-3.6% proteins; 27.2-39.0% fat; 3.0-6.6% fiber. Ash elements are 0.8-1.0%, they are represented by phosphorus (83-116 mg/100 g), calcium (13-23 mg/100 g), iron (1.7-2.5 mg/100 g), potassium (256-555 mg/100 g), sodium (7-23 mg/100 g). The vitamin complex of fruits consists of vitamins B1 (0.03-0.05 mg/100 g), B2 (0.02-0.04 mg/100 g), B5 (0.5-0.8 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (up to 6 mg/100 g). Also contains vitamin K and PP. Coconut is rich in nonessential and essential amino acids, phytosterols, Omega-6 fatty acids, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Pharmacological properties

Beneficial features coconut oil due to its chemical composition. Lauric acid contained in coconut oil increases the level of “good” cholesterol, positively affecting the heart and blood vessels. Coconut oil improves metabolism due to the presence of saturated fats, which are easily digested and used by the liver for energy, and also stimulate the burning of its own fat. Also, saturated acids improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium.

Use in folk medicine

Coconuts were used local residents in the treatment of poisoning and against cholera. In the Philippines, drops are prepared from the pulp of coconut nuts, which are used for ear pain in children.

In folk medicine, coconut milk is used externally for venereal diseases. A composition is prepared from the ash of coconut shells and wine to treat ulcers and skin inflammations.

Using the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil, traditional healers Prevent dirt and bacteria from getting into small cuts and scrapes on the body by applying a little oil to them. Coconut oil also reduces itching from mosquito bites.

Coconut oil whitens teeth, improves skin condition, removes toxins and kills germs; these properties are used in the practice of Ayurveda, including for oral hygiene. Also for sore throat or cough traditional healers It is recommended to take a little coconut oil in its pure form or add it to tea.

Historical reference

The first description of a coconut palm was found in the book of the famous Italian traveler Marco Polo (1254-1324). The name of this palm, coconut, comes from the Portuguese word “coco” (monkey). The nuts seemed to the sailors from Vasco's expedition to Gama to look like monkey faces.

The coconut palm has long been grown on ocean coasts, coral islands and atolls in almost all tropical areas of the world. For a long time it was believed that the palm spreads using the buoyant properties of coconuts, which are carried by sea currents, storms and hurricanes. However, Thor Heyerdahl refuted this version during his expeditions. He proved that coconuts quickly lose their viability in sea water. Therefore, the main distributor of coconut palms is humans.

The coconut palm is a tree that provides the natives with a lot: food, drinks, material for textiles, building materials, and fuel. Therefore, Catholic missionaries in the 19th century called the coconut palm “the tree of the lazy,” because according to the Bible, a person had to work “by the sweat of his brow.” Fearing the harmful impact of the “paradise” lifestyle on the morality of the aborigines of the southern islands, the missionaries forced them to cut down these trees.

Literature

1. Coconut palm / Morshchikhina S.S. // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M.: Soviet encyclopedia, 1969-1978.

The coconut palm belongs to the Palm family. This is a very tall (up to 30 m) plant with a round crown formed by long (up to 6 m) leaves. The trunk reaches almost half a meter in diameter.

It blooms with almost two-meter long light yellow panicles, on which drupes are subsequently tied - fruits measuring about 30 cm in length and weighing up to 2.5 kg, which are usually called coconuts. The habitat is the oceanic coasts of the tropics.

Did you know?In the Maldives, the coconut tree is the official state symbol and is also depicted on the coat of arms.

Malaysia is considered the birthplace of this plant, and it is most widespread in Indonesia, which is the largest producer of coconuts.

Subspecies of coconut

There are several subspecies of coconut. The most common indoor plants you can find are:

Subspecies differ in height: typica (tall) and dwarf - nana.

Preparation

If you decide to grow a coconut from a nut, you will need to do the following:

1. Choose a suitable fruit: only ripe, never peeled. Shake it - you should hear a splash of liquid.
2. Soak the coconut for three days in water.
3. Provide conditions close to greenhouse conditions: high humidity and temperature (about +30 °C).

Planting a coconut

Once your nut has sprouted, it's time to plant it in a pot.

The sequence is:

1. Prepare the container. It should be a wide pot with a volume twice the size of the nut. Be sure to make a hole in the bottom - excess water will drain through it (accordingly, a tray is needed).
2. Place a layer of drainage on the bottom (expanded clay or shards will do).
3. Fill with soil mixture. The substrate must be well drained and loose. Optimal mixture - special land for indoor plants mixed with sand.
4. Bury the nut halfway into the ground.
5. Support desired temperature, humidity and lighting levels.
6. Bring in organic fertilizers and fungicides (once every 4 weeks).
7. As the palm tree grows and develops, transplant it into a larger pot. In this case, the soil around the roots must be preserved; the shells must not be removed.

The coconut palm is not the most difficult plant to care for, but it is not the easiest either. For beginners who have never grown anything more complex than chlorophytum or geranium before, it most likely will not be suitable. Although the plant itself is quite unpretentious.

Important! The coconut palm is very sensitive to dry air and drafts. In an apartment, it should not be placed in the passages and it is not recommended to overdry it.

Lighting

Coconut is light-loving. Shade is contraindicated for him, although partial shade is acceptable. Diffused lighting is best. Direct sunlight can burn young plant, but with age it becomes resistant to their effects.

Avoid direct sunlight during the middle of the day. To maintain the symmetry of the crown in case of light from only one angle, the plant should be rotated 2 times a month.

Required temperature

Palm trees love warmth. She feels best in the temperature range from +26 to +28 °C. Below +16 °C it stops growing. It will survive short-term drops to zero, but below that, guaranteed death awaits it.

Watering a palm tree

You cannot overwater the plant. The frequency of watering is determined by the condition of the soil and the time of year:

• mid-spring to late summer - do not allow the soil to dry out;
• winter - water when the soil dries out.

Fertilizers

The plant does not require excessive feeding.
You can choose from two options:

1. Once a year, place granular fertilizer in the soil. It slowly releases nutrients. It is better to do this in the spring.
2. Use specialized solutions for palm trees. Frequency - once every 3 weeks. The application period is April-August.

Foliage trimming

You need to cut leaves from a palm tree, but only in two cases:

1. If the leaf is completely dry.
2. If the sheet is broken.

Leaves that have changed color, are turning yellow, or are drying out do not need to be touched; the coconut takes them from them nutrients. Wait until it dries completely, then cut it. You can also trim off the very tips of the leaves if they have turned brown, but you don't need to touch the leaf itself.

Transfer

Palm trees are replanted for several reasons. Moreover, each of them has its own characteristics that affect the process.

1. As it grows - when the plant becomes cramped in the pot.

Determined by the following criteria:

• growth arrest;
• stagnation of water on the surface;
• protruding roots.

Young palm trees are replanted once a year in April, large ones - once every 2-3 years. The procedure is standard: the plant, along with a lump of earth on the root system, is transferred into a larger pot (15-20% larger than the previous one).

Important!When transshipping, it is strictly forbidden to bury the plant and damage the trunk, otherwise the palm tree may die.

Video: transplanting a coconut

2. To replace the soil - if the substrate is old and/or deteriorated. Determined by the following criteria:

• white coating on the ground;
• bad smell;
• Water absorption became worse.

In this case, you need to replant into a pot of a similar size (you can use the same one, after washing it first).

3. If the palm tree rots. It looks like this:

• the barrel is easily loosened;
• The soil is constantly wet and emits an unpleasant odor.

In this case, during the replanting process, you should also trim off the rotten roots.

Coconut tree propagation

Coconut reproduces in two ways:

1. From a drupe (walnut). Only one plant germinates. This is the main type of reproduction.
2. By shoots. It occurs rarely, only when a daughter shoot appears in an adult tree.

Pests and diseases of coconut palm

Indoor plants have a lower risk of disease or pest damage than those growing indoors. open ground, but it is there. Below are the most common problems that a palm tree owner may encounter.

Pests

The list of pests that can attack coconut is pretty standard. They are the ones that most often grow on indoor plants.

These include:

All of them are exterminated with special preparations (insecticides). Before purchasing a product, be sure to check whether it is suitable for use in residential premises.

Diseases

There are few diseases in the coconut palm, but they are very serious:

1. Phytoplasma infection. External manifestations- the crown turns yellow from bottom to top. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to cure the plant; you will have to throw it away.
2. Black and pink rot (spore damage). The plant is weakened, shoots, leaves, and sometimes the trunk are rotting. There are (depending on the type of infection) putrefactive masses of dark brown, black or pink flowers. The plant is treated with fungicides: treatment once every 7 days until complete recovery.

As you can see, growing your own coconut tree is a rather labor-intensive task, although very interesting. If you manage to do this, then you will be able to enjoy own home your own personal paradise.

Reviews from the network

CARE TIPS Do not use leaf polishing agents Temperature: All types of coconut palm are heat-loving; coconut is kept at a temperature of 20-23°C both outdoors and indoors. It is advisable in the summer to move the tub with coconut to the balcony or garden, to a place where the hottest midday sun rays do not fall on it. If the coconut is kept indoors all year round, then in the summer it needs to be provided with good ventilation. Lighting: Bright diffused light, shaded only from the hottest sun. The room is provided with the brightest place. Watering: In summer (from May to September) water abundantly, then moderately. From May to August, fertilize every two weeks. Air humidity: Coconut loves very humid air, so regular spraying is necessary, especially in summer and winter. heating season. The leaves are periodically wiped with a damp sponge. Transplantation: He really does not like replanting, so it is replanted only when the roots fill the entire pot or tub and begin to crawl out of the container. Soil - 2 parts light clay-turf, 2 parts humus-leaf, 1 part peat, 1 part rotted manure, 1 part sand and a little charcoal. Reproduction: Seeds (walnut) are possible only with warm temperatures and high air humidity.

https://forum.bestflowers.ru/t/kokosovaja-cocos.835/#post-9496

Very difficult to care for, God forbid if it doesn’t die. In short: coconut needs soil enriched with loose, not rocky, humus - fertile soil mixed with coarse sand. In the spring, very carefully transfer the plant into a large pot or simply replace the surface layer with fresh soil. From May to the end of August (at the hottest time), the plant should be in a well-ventilated, semi-shaded room; the leaves should be sprayed frequently, but not with hard water. In spring and summer, water moderately and add a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month, but in winter you need to water much less frequently. The temperature is not lower than 15-17 degrees. Wipe the dust off the leaves with a cloth. In indoor conditions, the plant cannot develop properly and therefore does not live for a long time. Well, good luck.

https://forum.bestflowers.ru/t/kokosovaja-cocos.835/#post-4821

Instructions 1 If you want to plant a coconut, the first difficulty you will have to face is acquiring seed material. An ordinary coconut bought in a supermarket is unlikely to germinate. The fact is that for consumption, coconuts are removed from the tree at the stage of milk maturity. A ripe coconut has hard, inedible flesh, and the liquid inside it acquires a not very pleasant smell. It takes about 430 days for the nut to fully ripen. And to send them to the market and eat them, they are removed much earlier. After all, already at the age of about 150 days, coconuts contain the maximum amount of tasty liquid, which, moreover, remains cool inside the nut even in the hottest weather. Somewhat later, fat appears in this liquid, and it turns into the famous coconut milk, comparable in nutritional value to cow's milk. And only after this does the development of hard endosperm begin, which in a mature nut occupies more than half of the internal volume. But this, of course, is not a matter of one day. It is very difficult to determine at what stage of ripeness the fruits lying on the counter are. 2 A way out of the situation could be a coconut brought from the southern latitudes, which managed to ripen and fell to the ground on its own. But even in this case, you shouldn’t delude yourself too much. Coconut tree in natural conditions grows up to 30 meters, it is difficult to imagine a room in which she could fit. In addition, after a couple of years, most coconut palm sprouts cannot withstand home conditions and die. 3 If the above arguments still don’t frighten you, you came across a sprouted coconut in a flower shop and want to try to tame it, or you were brought a ripe coconut from the south, then why not. 4 Immerse the coconut halfway in wet peat with the soft eye facing up, cover with film, create a temperature of about 25°C and start waiting. Ventilate the fruit periodically to prevent mold from appearing. Bottom heating of the pot should speed up the germination of the nut. Place the “greenhouse” in the warmest, brightest place so that as much sun as possible falls on the nut - in spring it begins to get very hot. If possible, provide the nut with additional illumination, when there is no natural light. It will take a long time for a coconut to germinate, up to six months. But after that it will quickly grow. Now - the main thing: if over the next five to six months the condition of the crop does not change, we can say with complete confidence that the nut is not ripe. And throw it away. By the way, this must be done very carefully. In case of destruction of a nut in the house, persistent odor the spilled liquid will remind you of what happened for another five months. 5 The pot for the coconut plant should be large, at least 12-15 liters. The soil should contain about 40% sand and you will have to constantly maintain high humidity and temperature. Dry air can cause coconut leaf tips to turn brown. Water that is too hard can also cause leaf damage. On the other hand, overwatering is also dangerous for coconuts; the roots of the plant begin to rot. 6 As you can see, growing coconut is not an easy task and the chances of success are not that great. But if you still manage to grow a palm tree from a coconut, you can confidently be considered a professional among plant growers.

Coconut palm – large, tree plant, which is intensively cultivated in the tropics. The palm tree grows very quickly, the nuts it produces are used for food, and it is a very important agricultural crop. Coconut is widely distributed throughout the world, and even in the outback of Russia it is very easy to find it in a decent supermarket. The most curious, of course, will want to grow a coconut palm tree in a pot. It turns out that starting an indoor coconut is not so easy...

How to grow a coconut tree?

* Choosing the right coconut.

In order to germinate coconut, it is important to choose high-quality planting material. Regular “edible” nuts from the store are not suitable, since all the protective fibers are removed from them, which deprives them of germination. Fresh coconuts fallen from a palm tree germinate ideally. It is important that the coconut is ripe, juicy and healthy in appearance. You can bring them from vacation or order them online.

* Planting homemade coconut.

• In nature, before sprouting, coconuts usually lie near the surf line, float in the water and become saturated with moisture. We should simulate a similar situation by soaking the coconut in soft water for 2-3 days. The water should be changed daily and, if possible, rotate the coconut so that the entire shell soaks evenly. This will make it easier for the future palm tree to emerge.

• A small pot, 2 times larger in diameter than the nut itself, is suitable for planting. The pot should have plenty of drainage holes. You can use ready-made flower substrate; it is important to create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot.

• When planting, the easiest way to place a coconut is in a lying position, on its side. You can also bury the blunt end into the soil, leaving 1/3 of the total length above the ground.

• For the emergence of seedlings, it is important to heat +30 degrees, sunlight and high humidity. The coconut can be covered by creating a translucent greenhouse, where a lot of condensation will collect. The soil should be kept moist and ensure that there is no mold or musty odor.

• It takes a long time for a coconut to germinate, from three months to six months. This is due to the fact that the nut shell is very dense and it takes such a period of time for life to arise inside.

* Caring for a coconut tree at home.

At home it is very difficult to create conditions close to tropical ones. Our air is dry, and apart from a humidifier, nothing will help establish decent humidity. If you don’t have a device, spray the palm tree more often and place wet expanded clay in the tray.

The coconut palm is grown in a bright, well-lit place. If it is a south-facing window, do not forget about shading during peak solar activity. In summer the plant grows well outdoors.

Coconut grows all year round at room temperature. If the readings fall below +15, the plant may simply get sick!

As the palm tree grows, replanting will be required. The pot needs to be enlarged by transferring the nut by transferring it without destroying the earthen lump. After a year, light humus fertilizers can be added to the substrate.

Unfortunately, the residential environment significantly limits the life resources of the coconut tree. The plant cannot properly grow roots, develop, or produce fruit, and at the age of five it usually begins to wither and soon dies. If you are very lucky, in flower shops or at specialized exhibitions you can find homemade coconuts of special varieties suitable for indoor growing.

Either way, the experience of sprouting a coconut and observing the life of a tropical coconut tree is very interesting. This could be long term creative project for a child, or just an unforgettable experiment for you!

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