Whenever people talk about tropical holidays most people imagine themselves being at the beach enjoying the sun. But for the people who avoid too much heat, laying under the shade of a coconut tree is just as enjoyable. Coconut tree (Scientific name: Cocos Nucifera) has been one of the universal symbol to a leisure vacation; just ask someone who has traveled to Hawaii, the Bahamas or the tropical islands of the Philippines! Surely they will tell you that there is no better tree to unwind under than under a coconut tree dancing in the breeze of ocean air. Not to add that the coconut fruit itself will quench that thirst and entice your taste buds while relaxing.
Too bad, it might take more months before this current pandemic allows the general public to travel around the world and enjoy that desirable tropical holidays most look forward to. The good news is you can actually make your backyard or even a small idle spot a piece of paradise by knowing how to plant a coconut tree. In this article, we will share the basic knowledge on how to plant a coconut tree that is easier than what you can ever think of.
Finding The Right Coconut Seed
First thing that might come out of your mind is “Can you grow a coconut tree from a store bought coconut?” The answer is YES! However, make sure that you actually pick the right coconut that has a nut in it. If you would like to have a higher chance of picking the right coconut in your favorite grocery store, make sure to shake the coconut a little and feel if it has as much juice or coconut water inside. If the community that you live has a nearby coconut tree, get a fresh fruit from the tree or you can even use one that has already dropped.
After this, put water in a bucket and dip the coconut fruit wholly by tying it with a stone or any object that is heavy enough for 5 days. Once the coconut shell has softened, replace the liquid with approximately 1 glass of room temperature tap water. Cover the bucket or container with a lid and seal it air tight for faster germination process. It will also help if you store the container in a dark with warmer temperature such as at the back of the refrigerator or a similar household appliance that generates enough heat.
Check the container every week and see if there will be a green sprout in its nut. It will be ready for ground planting once the sprout is the length of an adult thumb. This process can be done simultaneously to a number of coconut that is available within your area. There is a higher chance of sprout when the basic process of picking the right coconut seed is done.
Pick The Right Spot At Your Home And How To Plant Coconut Tree In The Ground
Before planting a coconut tree in the ground take note that a full grown mature coconut tree depending on the variety can grow anywhere from 25 feet to 60 feet; hence picking the right spot at your home is crucial before knowing how to plant a coconut tree in the ground. It is advisable to pick a spot where there is a generous amount of sun light that can pass such as in open back yard, front gate or pocket garden. The best time to plant a coconut seed is during the warmest time of the year and after sunrise to locate the area where sun light passes during day light. If you are now decided where to plant the coconut seed, dig up a hole approximately one foot from the ground and twice the size of its diameter.
When putting back the soil it is best to include generous amount of fertilizer of organic substitute to aid the growing of the coconut seed.
The soil should be firm but not too loose so when the roots start to pop out it will be able to crawl gently and make a solid base once it grows. When planting multiple coconut seed in the ground there should be an allowance of one to two meters from each planting point. This will equal distribution of soil nutrition and water to keep a healthy coconut seed grow for the first few weeks until it matures to a full grown coconut tree. If you change your mind within the first few months as to where you would want to place the coconut tree, the coconut seed must have enough roots before you place it to its new planting point.
It is important to follow the similar steps in picking the right spot at your home and proper knowledge on how to plant a coconut tree in the ground to ensure continuous healthy growth of the coconut seed.
Basic Coconut Plant Care
Now that you are able to plant and know the basics of how to plant a coconut tree, it is equally important to know the basics of coconut plant care. Taking care of a coconut plant is not that hard especially it practically grows even in sandy and dry conditions. You must give enough water to the coconut tree must at least once a day just enough to keep it hydrated and moist but not too much that the soil around it will be saggy or loose. It is also advantageous to the growth of the plant to apply fertilizer once a month to supply nutrients to the soil and ultimately to the plant.
Now that the basics of how to plant a coconut tree are almost done take note that in order to enjoy the benefits of growing at home it will practically take three to five years for the plant to mature. Until then, enjoy the time taking care of the coconut tree and feel the tropical vibes for the years to come.
