Cocona trees are lovely plants that produce tasty fruit. They grow naturally in tropical climates, but you can also plant one at home. Whether you plan to grow your coconut tree outside or as a houseplant, it’s an easy process that will produce a charming addition to any yard or home.
A. Germinating Your Cocona Seed
i. Choose the perfect nut to incubate
The ideal nut will have lots of water inside that will slosh around when you shake it. Make sure that the nut still in its husk.
- You can use a cocona that has dropped to the ground or one from a store.
ii. Place the cocona in a bucket of lukewarm water
Use a stone or weight to keep the coconut submerged. Leave the nut in the bucket for 3-4 days.
- This process will soften the coconut and accelerate the germination process.
iii. Fill a zip-lock plastic bag with 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Place the nut in the bag and seal it. Store the bag in a warm, dark location for up to 3 months.
- An example of a good place to store the coconut is by a water heater.
iv. Check on the cocona every week for germination. Once the nut has sprouted and started to grow roots, gently wrap a damp paper towel around the roots and place the seed back into the bag.
- The seed will be fully developed when the sprout is approximately as long as your finger and the roots have reached a length of 6 inches (15 cm) to 8 inches (20 cm).
B. Planting Your Tree
i. Mix your planting soil
Use a mixture of half potting soil and half sand. Also add some fine gravel or vermiculite to help aerate the soil.
- If you plan on planting your cocona outside, you do not need to use premixed soil. Find a place outside that has loose, well-draining soil.
- You can also buy a specialized potting soil, such as Kokohum.
ii. Put the germinated cocona in the soil
Place the nut into the soil with the pointed end down. Make sure that 1/3 of the cocona sticks out of the soil.
- If you are planting your tree inside, use a pot that is at least 10 inches (25 cm) deep and has a diameter large enough to accommodate the seed.
iii. Give your cocona tree plenty of water and sunlight
Water the tree at least 2 times per week so the soil is moist but not too wet. Make sure that the tree gets lots of light, but not constant brightness. Some shade is preferable.
- For outdoor plants, you can make a mini greenhouse. Put bamboo stakes into the ground around the tree. Wrap plastic wrap around the sticks and across the top. Remove the greenhouse when the tree is 1 foot (0.30 m) tall.
- Keep indoor trees moist by spraying both sides of the leaves with water.
C. Maintaining Your Tree
i. Keep your cocona tree watered and warm
Cocona trees need a temperature of at least 72 °F (22 °C) but grow best at temperatures above 80 °F (27 °C).
ii.Fertilize your plant after 1 year
After the first year, use a rotary spreader to apply fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound (0.45 kg) per 100 square feet (9.3 m2). Use a fertilizer that is rich in certain nutrients, including boron, manganese, and magnesium.
- During the first year of growth, the tree will absorb nutrients from inside the nut.
iii. Harvest the cocona and enjoy
Your tree will mature and begin to yield fruit after 5 years. Once the tree starts to flower, it will take 7-12 months for the cocona to fully mature.
- A fully-grown cocona in its husk will weigh approximately 6 pounds (2.7 kg).
