6 Tips on How to Grow Your Own Coconut Tree
Coconut has soared in popularity in the past several years in the United States and it is no wonder why. The tropical taste is incredible and the health benefits continue to prove strong.
In many different countries and cultures, coconut has been a stable part of diets for years. This tasty nut can be made into oil, flour, milk, and water. Lotions, shampoos, and conditioners are also using coconut as a main ingredient. The best part is that this rich food is pretty good for you with some great benefits for your body and health.
Did you know that it is easy to grow your own coconut tree?
Coconut Benefits
While coconut oil can contain a lot of saturated fat, some have often written it off. However, that isn’t the case anymore. The new conclusion is that saturated fats are not as harmless as one might have originally thought. According to Authority Nutrition, “the whole ‘artery clogging’ idea was a myth” with studies to back up those findings.
Coconut oil has proven to be a powerhouse food. It can kill harmful microorganisms. When digested, monolaurin is formed which can help kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Other benefits include helping to reduce seizures because of the fatty acids have been turned into ketones. Coconut oil has been proven to improve blood cholesterol and can also help to protect hair against damage, moisturize the skin and function even as a sunscreen. It has also been known to help boost brain function in Alzheimer patients.
Cooking with Coconut
Coconut can be made into flour and oils making it a great addition to a meal. One way that many people are replacing cooking oils like olive oil with coconut oil. You can cook with it at a higher temperature without poisoning your food as other oils like corn, soybean, and other cheap vegetable oils. You can use coconut oils in desserts, icings, and cakes, and pies. When you see a recipe that calls for vegetable oil or shortening, you can replace that with coconut oil. It can also be used to replace butter.
Growing Coconut Trees in 6 Helpful Tips
While being able to eat and utilize the amazing benefits of coconut, it might be even better to be able to have your own coconut tree in your backyard or growing in your living room. Growing a coconut plant is easy making it possible for any gardener to create a thriving and healthy coconut tree. Here are 6 helpful tips to help you grow your own coconut tree:
- Soak Coconut in Water
When you begin to start your coconut plant, you will want to start with a fresh coconut that still has a husk attached. You can check to make sure it is a good one to use by shaking the coconut. It should sound like there is still water inside. Once you found your coconut, soak it in water for two to three days. - Find a 12 Inch Container
Once your coconut has been soaked for the two to three days, you will want to find a twelve-inch-deep container that will allow the roots to grow properly. You want something that will be well-draining. Fill the pot with a potting soil and mix some sand or vermiculite to help to make sure it drains well. - Find a Warm Spot
Once you have planted your coconut, you will want to make sure that your plant will be in a spot that gets at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. That is why you see coconuts mostly in tropical areas as they love the warm weather. If you live in an area that the temperature gets colder, that doesn’t mean that you can’t grow a coconut tree. However, you will have to bring the plant indoors for the winter months or when the temperature drops. - Needs to Be Well-Drained
Once you have placed the coconut in the container, you will want to make sure that the coconut is watered well during the germination time. Try to avoid letting it sit in overly wet soil. If you know you have that, you can rest assured you cannot go too wrong. You really can’t even water it too often. Once your tree has sprouted and you move your coconut plant to a new area, or to re-pot your tree, make sure to add sand and vermiculite. This will help to create the well-drained soil that you need.Using a Root Stick to help hydrate your plant is a great idea. For a larger coconut tree, you will want to use the Rootwell. This is a tool that is dug next to your tree, or placed inside the pot that allows you to water the plant directly at the root source.
- Have Patience
The next part might be the hardest part – waiting. It will take your seedling around three to six months to appear. If you don’t have the patience to wait, you can choose to get a coconut that has already sprouted. Make sure to place the plant in a well draining soil so that the bottom two-thirds of the coconut is in the soil. - Fertilize
When you think of all the benefits of what a coconut tree offers, you can assume that it is a heavy feeder. It will require regular and complete fertilizer. When you go to buy a fertilizer, make sure to buy one with the basic nutrients, but one that also has nutrients like boron, manganese, and magnesium.
Take Away
Growing your own coconut tree is easy and fun and something any gardener can do. Following these six helpful tips will ensure that you will have a thriving coconut tree. The benefits of using coconut in a person’s diet and beauty products are great. Both reasons help this tropical nut to continue to grow in popularity.
If you do choose to grow your own coconut tree, you can expect your tree to live five to six years in a pot. If you do transfer your plant to another spot, you might be able to expect more life out of them.
