Samoa Coconut?

[jaybo]

During my recent trip to Hawaii, I noticed a few coconut trees that had very short and stout fronds, opposed to the typical long and lacier type of frond.  These trees also appeared to have fruit when fairly short compared to the more typical coconut palms.  I asked around about these unusal looking coconut palms.  Some say it is simply growing conditions.  Others say they are Samoa Coconuts.  I saw these supposedly Samoa coconuts growing next to more typical looking coconuts.  Is there really a Samoa coconut?

[rubyz]

While I don't have an anwer about "Samoan coconuts,"

I have seen something very similar with p.dactylifera. The tissue culture specimens growing on Israeli date plantations are very short, even at maturity, and bear fruit just like their tall cousins.

[Al in Kona]

Jaybo - Yes that photo you posted shows what just about everyone in Hawaii would call a Dwf. Samoan Coconut, however, it really should be called a Dwarf Fijiian.   They are very different from the common taller Cocos as you can see in the photo.  They are precocious (set fruit earlier and lower on the trunk). While they might be considered dwarf, eventually they do develop quite a long trunk but it almost always tends to lean way out and therefore always appears to be quite a short palm.  Hope that helps - it is really a Fijiian Dwarf Cocos.

[ibreakforpalms]

Yeah Jaybo, Al in Kona is correct.  

I live in Sebastian, Florida (Just north of Vero Beach)  And I have a few in my yard.  I'll post some pics soon.  I got them a few years ago down in Homestead, Florida.  Below is a photo of one down in Homestead where I got mine.

[ibreakforpalms]

Let's try this pic again.  Sorry.

[ghar41]

(Al in Kona @ Apr. 14 2007,16:32)

QUOTE

While they might be considered dwarf, eventually they do develop quite a long trunk but it almost always tends to lean way out and therefore always appears to be quite a short palm.  

This sounds very accurate to me.

My Aunty Louise has lived in up in Aiea Hts. Oahu since 1953 (shes 93) and she planted a coconut back in the 1950's she has always claimed is a Fijian Dwarf.  It  has quite a trunk on it today.  Yes, it leans a bit, and although Ive never measured the trunk, it has to be at least 20 feet in length.

[ibreakforpalms]

Somebody needs to give me a quick tutorial on how to post good sized pictures.

Below is a 2nd generation Malayan-Fiji coconut.

[SubTropicRay]

Nice whatever it is.

[Jeff Searle]

I have a few of these myself. I had some seed sent to me several years ago from my friend on the island of Molokai. I was told that these are Fijian Dwarf. Never the less, I can't wait untill they start forming trunks. Mine came from pure trees, for as far as you could see, there were only these dwarfs growing in this area.

Jeff

[PALM MOD]

(ibreakforpalms @ Apr. 14 2007,12:44)

QUOTE

Somebody needs to give me a quick tutorial on how to post good sized pictures.

For all those members new to posting pics, read Christian's excellent tutorial in "Forum FAQs"

http://palmtalk.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboar...=ST;f=16;t=4191

[ibreakforpalms]

Thanks Moderator.

Here is another picture of Fijian Dwarf coconuts in Homestead, Florida.

[Moose]

Jaybo - Yes that photo you posted shows what just about everyone in Hawaii would call a Dwf. Samoan Coconut, however, it really should be called a Dwarf Fijiian. They are very different from the common taller Cocos as you can see in the photo. They are precocious (set fruit earlier and lower on the trunk). While they might be considered dwarf, eventually they do develop quite a long trunk but it almost always tends to lean way out and therefore always appears to be quite a short palm. Hope that helps - it is really a Fijiian Dwarf Cocos.

good info - thanks Al

[Orly]

This may be an older thread but I'll ask anyways.  I have 3 Fijian dwarfs that have been growing for nearly 5 years now.  I'm really hoping they begin to produce nuts soon but none as of yet.  Any idea as to when these palms typically begin to produce?

[Steve the palmreader]

On 4/14/2007 at 8:22 PM, Jeff Searle said:

I have a few of these myself. I had some seed sent to me several years ago from my friend on the island of Molokai. I was told that these are Fijian Dwarf. Never the less, I can't wait untill they start forming trunks. Mine came from pure trees, for as far as you could see, there were only these dwarfs growing in this area.

Jeff

I am on the second generation of the one I bought from you, The first went to NBG

[JohnStraz]

I lived in Samoa for years, I do not think there is a samoan coconut with the distictions you are making.