Cocos (nucifera)
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Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Arecaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Palm | ||
| Scientific Name: | Cocos nucifera L. | ||
| Common Synonym: | Palmas cocos Miller | ||
| Common Name: | Coconut, narel; niu (Fiji; Tonga; Samoa; Cooks; Hawaii); nu (Cooks); ha'ari (Societies); te ni (Kiribati) | ||
| General Distribution: |
Coconut is prinarily a coastalspecies that is believed to have originated in the Old World tropics, but the natural range is unknown and is the subject of considerable debate. Dispersal by humans has played a major role in the naturalization of the species on tropical and subtropical shores throughout the world. It is widely grown throughout the Pacific Islands. Two primary types exist, a wild type with a long, angular fruit and thick husk and a type derived through selection that is more spherical, with a thinner husk and more endosperm. Many varieties exist, including dwarf and tall forms and varieties with differing fruit characteristics. |
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| Known Invasiveness: | Coconut is widely introduced throughout other tropical regions of the world where it may be invasive in some areas and invasiveness outside its naturally occurring range is unknown. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 10 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Seedlings have reached target size when three seed-leaves have grown. Seedlings may be container or field grown. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Coconut fruits ripen throughout the year. Collection of fully mature seeds that have turned brown, but not fallen to the ground, is best. Seeds with apparent insect damage, cracks or oozing should be discarded. Seeds that have no water remaining inside should also be discarded. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | If seeds are to be stored for any length of time, it's best to store them in a shaded, humid area, to avoid further drying. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Removal of the husk is not necessary nor recommended. Seeds may be scarified by cutting a notch through the smooth, hard, outer husk. Soaking in water for up to, but not longer than, two weeks may hasten germination. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Coconuts should be sprouted in beds of well-drained medium in full sun. | ||
| Establishment Phase: | After preparing beds of loose, organically rich soil, lay the coconuts on their sides and bury about 3/4, leaving 1/4 exposed. Seeds sprout in about 16 weeks. The soil must be kept moist throughout this time period, to facilitate germination. A covering of loose mulch may be used to enhance moisture retention, and to suppress weed growth. Late germinating or weak seedlings should be discarded, as these tend to produce less vigorous plants. Protect the area from rodents throughout the growth and establishment phases. | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 4 months | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Seedlings may continue to be grown in the field, or transplanted to individual containers. For container growing, transplant the seedlings just as the first green leaf tip begins to emerge from the eye of the coconut. Usually this first leaf emerges before the first root, making transplanting easy and non-traumatic for the plant. Amending monthly with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. Weeds should be prevented from entering the growth area to avoid competition for light and nutrients. Diseases and pests are not a major concern with coconut in the nursery. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 5 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | If the seedlings are not already growing in full sun, move them into a sunny area, spacing seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 1 month | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | When the plants have reached the three leaf stage or later, they may be delivered to the planting site. They are not extracted from their container or stored before shipping. Keeping plants in their container is necessary to protect the roots. Although coconut plants tolerate root pruning, damage to the root system should be avoided to encourage fast early growth in the field. | ||
| References: |
Allen, James A. 2002. Cocos nucifera L. In: Vozzo, J.A. (Ed). Tropical Tree Seed Manual. USDA Agriculture Handbook 721. Duke, James A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops. Web: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Cocos_nucifera.html F.W. Martin. unk date. Bananas, Coconuts & Breadfruit. ECHO Technical Note. ECHO, N. Ft. Myers, FL. Thaman, R.R., C.R. Elevitch and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. "Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands. In: Elevitch, C.R. and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI. web: http://www.agroforestry.net Uhl, N.W. and J. Dransfield. 1987. Genara Palmarum. The L.H. Bailey Hortorium and The International Palm Society. Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas. |
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Citation:
Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Cocos nucifera L. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
