Coconut trees develop male and female flowers. They mature at different times to avoid self-pollination. The flowers can be distinguished by size: female flowers are larger. The fruit of a coconut tree is botanically known as a drupe.
How can you tell if a coconut is male or female?
The Inflorescence
The male flowers are more numerous than the female flowers. The former are borne on the top portion of spikelets which are attached to a main axis or peduncle. The female flowers are situated at the base of the spikelets.
What are the two types of coconut trees?
There are mainly two types of Coconuts trees–tall and dwarf. The tall grows up to 50-90 feet and starts bearing fruits after 7-10 years. Whereas, the dwarf grows up to 20-60 feet and begins fruiting after 4-5 years. Dwarf varieties have an average life span of 40-50 years, while tall varieties live up to 90-100 years.
Are coconut trees self-pollinating?
Once it begins to produce coconuts, it does so with vigor, producing around 65 nuts each year per tree once mature. Like most dwarf varieties, this palm tree is self-pollinating, so you only require an individual tree for it to produce coconuts.
Can you grow a coconut tree from a coconut?
If you’ve got a fresh coconut, you can germinate it! This is definitely the most inexpensive method for how to grow a coconut palm. Your coconut should still have the husk on it, and when you shake it, you should be able to hear the water splashing around inside.
How many years does a coconut tree live?
The coconut tree grows from a single seed, which is an entire coconut, taking between 3 and 8 years to bear fruit, and living between 60 and 100 years. Each coconut takes almost a year to develop from a flower into a fruit.
How many coconuts do you get per tree per month?
One tree may yield on average 70-100 nuts to a maximum of 150 nuts per year. The kernel (copra, coco-water and shell) comprises 65 per cent of total weight, while the husk contributes 35 per cent.
Why are some coconuts brown and some green?
Both come from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) (1). The difference lies in the age of the coconut. Green coconuts are young and not completely ripened, while brown ones are fully mature (2).
Can you eat all types of coconuts?
However, only young coconut is edible and the coconut water requires exercising caution in consumption. Each coconut comes with a warning on how to use its water. The water in a brown coconut should be discarded while it is fit for consumption in a white coconut.
How often does a coconut tree bear fruit?
The coconut palm starts fruiting 6–10 years after the seed germinates and reaches full production at 15–20 years of age. The tree continues to fruit until it is about 80 years old, with an annual production of 50–200 fruits per tree, depending on cultivar and climate.
How do you pollinate a coconut?
Cocos nucifera is pollinated by wind and insects (McGregor, 1976).
What is the difference between a coconut tree and a palm tree?
Coconut trees and palm trees are subcategories of the same type of tree. Coconut trees grow coconuts, produce coconut oil, have curvy and smooth trunks, and have wide leaves. Palm trees grow palm fruits, produce palm oil, have scaly and textured trunks, and have fan-shaped leaves.
Why do coconut trees need salt?
A nationwide survey conducted by the Philippine Coconut Authority revealed that 24 out of 54 coconut-producing provinces have widespread chlorine deficiency. The application of sodium chloride (NaCl) or common table salt can effectively control this problem.
What is the white ball inside a coconut?
Coconut Embryos are basically a soft, spongy formation that are found inside mature coconuts. When the coconut is ready to sprout leaves, this formation takes place on the inside. The ’embryo’ is actually a cotyledon and it is generally eaten raw.
Can you grow a coconut tree from a store bought coconut?
Pick one that still has the husk on it, and make sure you can hear the juice sloshing around inside. Put the coconut on the ground to see which way it naturally rests, and then plant it in that position in a 3-gallon pot. Plant it about halfway down in a mix of about 60 percent soil and 40 percent coarse sand.
How deep are the roots of a coconut tree?
80% of roots are confined to a depth range of 30 to 90 cm from the soil surface adjascent to the bole. 11 to 14% of roots were observed at a depth between 90 to 150 cm and most of them observed from 30 to 90cm distance from the bole.
How often should I water coconut tree?
The irrigation requirement varies according to the soil type and climatic condition. Generally, an adult palm requires 600 to 800 litres of water once in four to seven days. Irrigate in basins of 1.8m radius and 10-20 cm depth. In coastal sandy soils, sea water can be used for irrigating adult palms.
How often should I water my coconut plant?
Research and revive.
- Light. This plant will thrive in bright, indirect light and can tolerate direct sunlight.
- Watering. Keep the soil moist with warm water at all times but not soggy, watering once or twice per week in the summer months. Do not over water.
- Temperature. Above average household temperatures of 20 – 24°C.
How many times can you harvest coconut in a year?
It can be harvested every month from a coconut palm. To economise, farmers usually yield two to three bunches from each tree. This occurs every harvest cycle, which ranges between 45-60, or 75-90 days. On average, 10-45 nuts can be collected from each coconut tree at various maturity stages every harvest cycle.
Which is the best fertilizer for coconut?
Nutrient Management :: Coconut. From 5th year onwards, apply 50 kg of FYM or compost or green manure. 1.3 kg urea (560 g N), 2.0 kg super phosphate (320 g P2O5) and 2.0 kg muriate of potash (1200 g K2O) in two equal splits during June – July and December – January.
What should be the distance between two coconut trees?
In general square system of planting with a spacing of 7.5m x 7.5m is recommended for coconut. This will accommodate 177 palms per hectare. However, spacing of 7.5 to 10 m is practised in various coconut growing regions of the country.