Southern California Coconut - Orange County (Santa Ana)

[AS in SA]

Haven't posted in a long time - thought I'd share my Southern California coconut pictures.  I purchased this as a sprouted nut back in 2007 and planted it in a whiskey barrel full of sand.  I planted a few others outdoors in a similar fashion, but don't think any lasted more than a year or two.  I've tried a few other marginal palms (spindle, bottle) which I was able to limp along for a number of years - but this one is the sole survivor.  It was in the whiskey barrel until about a year and a half back the barrel was simply disintegrating, wouldn't hold water, etc - so after digging a really big hole - in the ground it went and has done pretty well.  If you look up some of my older posts I've posted a number of pictures throughout the years.  Definitely not setting any speed records, but fronds/petioles have definitely started thickening up since it went in the ground.  

[Stevetoad]

Nice! Has that royal tried to take it out yet? Looks like it might be in the bombing path. 

[GottmitAlex]

6 hours ago, Stevetoad said:

Nice! Has that royal tried to take it out yet? Looks like it might be in the bombing path. 

Haha. 

[AS in SA]

Yeah - definitely in the bombing path.  I have a 10 ft. A-frame ladder I put over the coconut when a royal frond is getting ready to drop which has worked so far.

[kylecawazafla]

I happened upon this coconut image on street view in Santa Ana as well! I wonder if it's still alive! It's somewhere around 1202 Cedar St, Santa Ana, CA. 

[GottmitAlex]

13 minutes ago, kylecawazafla said:

I happened upon this coconut image on street view in Santa Ana as well! I wonder if it's still alive! It's somewhere around 1202 Cedar St, Santa Ana, CA. 

Nice find!

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

Nice looking Coconut Palms for cool Southern California!

[PalmTreeDude]

I love seeing coconut palms pop up in California, it’s interesting to watch how they do! 

[kylecawazafla]

Yeah! I wonder if this one is still alive 

[JASON M]

I was able to drive past this cocos this afternoon, and it looks great for CA!! The picture/ streetview don’t do it justice as the palm is actually between 11 and 14 feet tall. 

Edited February 28, 2021 by JASON M

[kylecawazafla]

Wow that's amazing! Does it have a woody trunk yet?

[JASON M]

2 hours ago, kylecawazafla said:

Does it have a woody trunk yet?

Perhaps a foot and a half to two feet maximum?

[kylecawazafla]

Incredible! I'm glad it's still alive and looking good!

[DoomsDave]

On 10/19/2020 at 4:19 PM, AS in SA said:

Haven't posted in a long time - thought I'd share my Southern California coconut pictures.  I purchased this as a sprouted nut back in 2007 and planted it in a whiskey barrel full of sand.  I planted a few others outdoors in a similar fashion, but don't think any lasted more than a year or two.  I've tried a few other marginal palms (spindle, bottle) which I was able to limp along for a number of years - but this one is the sole survivor.  It was in the whiskey barrel until about a year and a half back the barrel was simply disintegrating, wouldn't hold water, etc - so after digging a really big hole - in the ground it went and has done pretty well.  If you look up some of my older posts I've posted a number of pictures throughout the years.  Definitely not setting any speed records, but fronds/petioles have definitely started thickening up since it went in the ground.  

Nice!

Dang, for just a second I thought you'd abducted Spanky or Butch and stuck it down there.

You're just down the road from me!

 

[AS in SA]

That's 3 miles from me - will definitely check it out.

[Patrick Sheehan]

Any new news on it? This could be our 2nd Newport Beach!

Edited January 19, 2022 by Patrick Sheehan

[Alex High]

19 hours ago, Patrick Sheehan said:

Any new news on it? This could be our 2nd Newport Beach!

Here are some photos/video I took of it on December 27th. It looks stunning and is doing super well! Such an incredible palm, it's really gorgeous and has that awesome curving trunk, I love seeing coconuts thriving like this in SoCal, it just goes to show that coconuts really can do well in Southern California, more people definitely need to try them there!

 

[kylecawazafla]

Had to see it for myself! 

[Alex High]

On 3/9/2022 at 5:33 AM, kylecawazafla said:

Had to see it for myself! 

Love it, it looks amazing, makes you feel like you're in the tropics. So beautiful, glad you got to see it in person.

[AS in SA]

I still need to go see this Coconut - right around the corner from me.  Here's an updated shot of mine - measured 14 inches of trunk.  Was holding a couple more fronds, but gardener decided to prune a couple.  

[Aleitalyyy]

On 2/9/2022 at 22:14, AS in SA said:

Devo ancora andare a vedere questo Coconut, proprio dietro l'angolo. Ecco una mia foto aggiornata - misura 14 pollici di tronco. Teneva in mano un altro paio di fronde, ma il giardiniere ha deciso di potarne un paio.  

I advise you before each winter and during the winter to dare a fertilizer with high concentrations of potassium and micro elements... in the form of dots to be sprinkled in the ground around the palm...

hardens the palm in cool weather making it stronger.

NPK spring every month...

it's the only way you can upgrade your palm...

[EricN88]

On 9/2/2022 at 1:14 PM, AS in SA said:

I still need to go see this Coconut - right around the corner from me.  Here's an updated shot of mine - measured 14 inches of trunk.  Was holding a couple more fronds, but gardener decided to prune a couple.  

That's beautiful! Which part of SA is this in? What are you planning to do with the upcoming storm?

[Alex High]

I sadly don't have an update on the Santa Ana coconut, but I was looking on Google Maps and noticed this interesting cactus nearby, it looks a lot like a young saguaro to me. I would be surprised to see one there, but I know Santa Ana gets considerably more heat than right by the coast. Would love an ID if anyone can verify.

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7287921,-117.8586771,3a,15y,75.3h,77.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sM851hWjJPMJZZK9fuLs6Qw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Also I was just out in Cali for spring break and visited the Del Mar coconut to do an update video. It's looking rough as expected from the cold, rainy winter, but should pull through. I am curious how the Santa Ana one is doing. I took lots of videos of palms from my trip on my YouTube channel, Palm Planet. Thanks!

 

[Silas_Sancona]

2 minutes ago, Alex High said:

I sadly don't have an update on the Santa Ana coconut, but I was looking on Google Maps and noticed this interesting cactus nearby, it looks a lot like a young saguaro to me. I would be surprised to see one there, but I know Santa Ana gets considerably more heat than right by the coast. Would love an ID if anyone can verify.

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7287921,-117.8586771,3a,15y,75.3h,77.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sM851hWjJPMJZZK9fuLs6Qw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

 

Possible, but from that distance, esp. considering the low resolution of the picture, could be something else.  Wouldn't surprise me if it was though.. 

Placement, right next to the sidewalk, is awful considering how large it will get in time. Needs to be moved more to the center of that area.

[Alex High]

I also noticed that that area has tons of majesty palms. Check out the size of this one! Thought it was a Ceroxylon at first!

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7187033,-117.8606852,3a,75y,239.83h,107.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdbWt3jTutrUm_EQfFO6Hhw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Little Tex]

4 hours ago, Alex High said:

 Check out the size of this one! Thought it was a Ceroxylon at first!

Thats insane growth for only 15 years this is that palm in 2008

[GottmitAlex]

On 9/2/2022 at 1:14 PM, AS in SA said:

I still need to go see this Coconut - right around the corner from me.  Here's an updated shot of mine - measured 14 inches of trunk.  Was holding a couple more fronds, but gardener decided to prune a couple.  

Would be very interesting to see a recent picture of this coconut. This has been one of the worst winters for southern California. 

 

[Palmiz]

A friend of mine took a pic a couple weeks ago of the Santa Ana coconut. Still going strong and healthy. I recently planted myself a first crack at a coconut to see how it goes. Thanks to @LakewoodPalmfor the trade. Not sure of the variety but we will see long it kicks

[Palmiz]

@AS in SA update please, would like to see how large yours is getting.

[rizla023]

Opening this up. I am also in Santa Ana and I recently acquired a “Panama/Pacific” tall from LetsGrowFlorida on Etsy. I tried to find a hardy variety.  I had read on a thread here, can’t remember where, but it may actually be a Jamaica Tall with the pointed, 3 sided beak. Not sure if anyone has insight into that. 
 

Not sure where to start with this one. It has no roots yet but has sprouted. I have a good location with radiant heat but I want to ensure it gets off to a good start. Should I be potting up first? Try it right in the ground? 

[29coolpalmdude]

I just got a coconut and I am growing it in the bay area! I will see how it does and will show some pictures as it grows.

[Silas_Sancona]

2 hours ago, 29coolpalmdude said:

I just got a coconut and I am growing it in the bay area! I will see how it does and will show some pictures as it grows.

This should be interesting, and quite a reward if you're able to pull it off ..even for just a few years (🤞for much longer than that of course )..

Curious though,  " Location " in your profile says Florida..  Assuming you moved to the west coast from there?

[Jim in Los Altos]

3 hours ago, 29coolpalmdude said:

I just got a coconut and I am growing it in the bay area! I will see how it does and will show some pictures as it grows.

 Bob, Many of us seasoned palm addicts in the SF Bay Area have tried diligently to grow coconuts here in the Bay Area. Even in the best microclimates no one’s been successful growing one outside of summertime. My area is nearly completely frost free but winters are just too cool and usually too wet for way too long for any ultra tropical palm species and particularly coconuts to grow even poorly. The best I did was a Jamaican Tall variety grown early summer through late February in the warmest microclimate in my yard before it died near where my Foxy Lady is growing happily. I’m not trying to be a downer, just a realist. Coconuts are rare in SoCal too. Just a few growing long enough to form trunks and look reasonably good in the best microclimates. Try anyway. You might be the first one up here in the SF Bay Area to do it successfully. I’m assuming you’re in this area despite your profile saying Florida. 

[29coolpalmdude]

Oh! My location says Florida! Sorry about that, I think when I was putting up my location I wanted to say my current location, not where I was from. I was taking a vacation. But anyway, yes, I live in the bay area. Here are some pictures of the palm: 

[29coolpalmdude]

By the way, just for proof that I live in the bay area, you can see the dry hills behind me, which happens during the summer months here. I also have a queen palm in the background, it's not doing too well, and it turns very yellow in the winter and only stays green in the summer. Can i do anything to fix this problem? 

[Jim in Los Altos]

53 minutes ago, 29coolpalmdude said:

By the way, just for proof that I live in the bay area, you can see the dry hills behind me, which happens during the summer months here. I also have a queen palm in the background, it's not doing too well, and it turns very yellow in the winter and only stays green in the summer. Can i do anything to fix this problem? 

Feed the Queen palm heavily and particularly in the fall (mid October) and your Queen palm is likely to handle the long cool winter months better. PalmGain is my favorite brand. 

[29coolpalmdude]

Thank you

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, 29coolpalmdude said:

Oh! My location says Florida! Sorry about that, I think when I was putting up my location I wanted to say my current location, not where I was from. I was taking a vacation. But anyway, yes, I live in the bay area. Here are some pictures of the palm: 

 

1 hour ago, 29coolpalmdude said:

By the way, just for proof that I live in the bay area, you can see the dry hills behind me, which happens during the summer months here. I also have a queen palm in the background, it's not doing too well, and it turns very yellow in the winter and only stays green in the summer. Can i do anything to fix this problem? 

No worries..  Was curious since some people ..myself included.. have occasionally referred to the general Tampa area as the " Bay Area " as well in casual passing - type conversation..  

As i think i'd mentioned, grew up out there ( San Jose ) so it was pretty neat to hear of someone taking on the challenge of attempting to try and grow a Coconut in that part of the world.. While not a " Coconut Head " myself, I know i'd take on the challenge myslef if still out there.. Same w/ growing Royal Poinciana out there..

 As others handily familiar w/ the Bay Area's climate have mentioned,  definitely some good sized " ideal " climate - related obstacles you'll face, but again, it never hurts to try ...and try again, ...if you really feel determined to succeed.

Looking good so far,  just continue doing anything and everything possible -within reason- to get it through the winters ..first few esp.

If this one isn't that specific variety,  you might do a little digging on the " Hawaiian Tall " variety of Coconut..  For whatever reason, it seems to be the one that has done the best -anywhere- in CA, so far ..That might change of course,  but, wanted to add that, just in case.

Agree w/ Jim,  ..regardless of if this experiment works out, ..and if you have the space for one in your garden,  would definitely look into Beccariophoenix alfredii ..for that neat, coconut - esque look, that is a bit hardier.. option. 

Majesty Palms, Ravena rivularis  can also do great up there though they LOVE water and being fed. ..No issues w/ cold,  unless of course, you live in one of the really cold pockets in the region   -Doesn't appear you do since you're bold enough to take on the " CA Coconut Challenge "..

As for getting the ol' Queen back in good health? ..Jim's advise is perfect.. 

[29coolpalmdude]

Thanks for the advice! And yea, if it doesn't work out, I can always try coconut lookalikes. But in the meantime, is there any way I can get keep the heat inside of the greenhouse regulated so the plant doesn't wilt, it got really hot in there today and I'm afraid its giving it too much heat. If I do take off the greenhouse, I'm afraid it might dry out due to low humidity. 

[Silas_Sancona]

25 minutes ago, 29coolpalmdude said:

Thanks for the advice! And yea, if it doesn't work out, I can always try coconut lookalikes. But in the meantime, is there any way I can get keep the heat inside of the greenhouse regulated so the plant doesn't wilt, it got really hot in there today and I'm afraid its giving it too much heat. If I do take off the greenhouse, I'm afraid it might dry out due to low humidity. 

..Like your spirit..

Only thing i can say is ..if the greenhouse has a side ..or top that opens, maybe keep it open a little on the hotter days so excess heat energy can vent.

If what you have won't work, you can easily build a tempo. greenhouse " box " over it with PVC Pipe.. enclosed in heavy,  greenhouse grade Plastic, or the more durable Polycarbonate  stuff they use on Greenhouses, using zip ties to secure either option to the PVC frame...

Can build the box so you can crack open the top, and one side of it, just a little,  so it can vent off any built up heat / allow good air flow. 

It is true Coconuts like their heat, but, i definitely understand not wanting to cook it.. Definitely not the objective, lol.

Unless it's a really dry day, i can't imagine ( ...but can always be wrong of course ) that a little exposure to your " typical " humidity levels would adversely effect it.

While definitely not FL. level humid,  Bay Area, ..sans maybe the driest inland spots,  is a tad humid,  ...compared to us here in the desert ..except maybe right now during Monsoon Season.

Would add marking the newest emerging spear would be a good idea, just to track the overall growth rate as each new frond emerges, under different conditions thru the year.