Post #184138 by TikiJosh on Sat, Sep 3, 2005 4:05 PM

On 2005-09-02 11:17, TIKIBOSKO wrote:

I’d like to quickly chime in on the growing coconuts in So Cal question. There is a mature (but not fruiting) palm on 101, all the palm guys I’ve spoken with attribute it’s survival on the “perfect microclimate”. The way it was described to me was; it is up against a wall were it gets radiant heat and its roots are going under a sidewalk/road (a lot more heat).
The problem with growing coconut palms here is our long winters, it stays cold for almost half a year, which slowly kills the plant and they need continuous heat. Some plants are able shut down and start growing again next spring but not this one, I have seen many people try and the plant always dies. They are truly a tropical plant, if you really have to have a coconut looking plant there are several species of palm which are related to coconuts and can make it in our area.

My very best Alohas

Bosko

I'm sure that's probably why my palm has survived and my Mum's did not. My balcony is covered on the sides, and has a roof. It receives a lot of radiant heat from the glass window/door and I leave the blinds open all the time, so more heat gets out of the house to the balcony during the winter. The tree that was at my parent's house was definitely too exposed. I thought the extra sun would help it do better, but once it got chilly, that's what did it in.