We will show you helpful tips on how to grow a coconut tree at home. You will also learn the basic rules for caring for this exotic plant. In order to make our home more comfortable, we grow various plants and take great care of them. But each plant is different and requires special care. Often, lovers of large green flowerpots purchase a coconut tree, but not everyone knows the peculiarities of its care. After all, if you do it right, it grows big, beautiful and pleases its owners.
The origin of the coconut tree is believed to be Malaysia. Inhabited in tropics, it can grow up to 20-30 m. If a palm tree is grown in apartment conditions, then its height reaches no more than 5 m. Flowering and fruits can only be in tropical conditions, where the coconut fully grows and ripens.
How to grow a coconut tree yourself?
You can grow a coconut tree yourself at home. This is done with a nut, the fruit of a coconut, which should be kept in a greenhouse or other warm place at a temperature of about 30 degrees. It is necessary to keep it until it sprouts, after that, place it in a pot of soil. As a rule, the germination process takes about 6 months. When a palm tree grows a few centimeters, it is important to provide optimal conditions for its growth:
- you need to grow it at a temperature of 23-26 degreesbecause the coconut tree loves warmth very much. In winter, the temperature should not be lower than 17 degrees, because the plant may die;
- the substrate for the coconut tree should be soft and consist of half of peat and humus … When planting a nut in the ground, it is very important not to completely immerse it in the soil, only its lower part should be in the ground;
- the palm tree should be placed in a bright place, but at the same time protect it from the sun's rays. Also, if possible, it can be additionally illuminated with special devices. This plant reacts quite well to light;
- special attention should be paid to the humidity where the palm tree is located. Since she mainly lives in the tropics, she needs humidified air (about 70 - 80%) … Therefore, if possible, spray it with water at least every other day. Make sure that water does not fall on the nut, otherwise the plant will begin to rot and disappear;
- since the coconut grows for a very long time, it need to be fed … For this, it is best to use only organic fertilizers. This should be done no more than once a month. For older plants, it is advisable to start feeding in the spring and do this throughout the summer. It is recommended to leave the coconut dormant in winter, as the growth process itself is reduced.
Coconut tree care at home
After you have managed to grow a coconut on your own at home, it is important now to properly care for it, so that it is beautiful and healthy. One of the important points is watering. To determine if a palm tree needs water, try the top of the substrate - it should always be slightly damp. But in winter, it is best to reduce watering, while allowing the upper ball of the earth to be slightly dry. It is unacceptable that there is water in the pot, its stagnation can lead to various diseases of the palm tree.
A transplant should be done every year in order for the plant to grow well. As with all houseplants, this is best done in the spring, as this is the best time to adapt to the new soil. But when the palm tree reaches the age of about 3-4 years, it can no longer be touched. During this time, she becomes strong enough and needs peace in order to actively grow. It is also important when transplanting to provide good drainage for the palm tree. For this, you can use sand, pebbles or granite.
Home-grown coconut trees are characterized by dry and yellow leaves. It is recommended to cut them off immediately, because they can interfere with the growth of healthy leaves. Pruning must be done very carefully so as not to damage the nut or the trunk of the plant.
It is very important to adhere to the conditions for proper care of a coconut tree, because its further fate depends on it. Considering that the palm is an exotic plant, it can be difficult to grow it under normal conditions. Often the cause of her death is various diseases that appear when the care of her is violated, for example:
- the appearance of various insect pests;
- the appearance of various types of rot, which mainly affects the fruit of a palm tree - a nut;
- fungal diseases on the leaves;
- lack of vitamin microelements, which lead to a disruption in the production of photosynthesis. A significant indicator is a change in the color of palm leaves, which become pale yellow.
Video on how to properly care for a palm tree - nut-bearing coconut (in Latin "Cocos Nucifera"):
Growing a coconut tree at home is not difficult. Just in order for your plant to be beautiful and healthy, you need to adhere to some rules that will help you cope with this task. Take these simple tips and your palm tree will be admired.
