Germinating Coconut Seeds (forum)

Nick T starts with ...
Hey guys, I'm thinking of trying to germinate a store-bought coconut. How do I treat the seeds with gibberellic acid- how long do I soak them for and what concentration should I use?

Time: 23rd January 2013 6:41pm

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About the Author Nick T
Altona, VIC
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denise1 says...
I have grown the nuts with no husk. Look out in the shops for one with a white sprout starting to peep. Then plant it on an angle so the root is into the medium of sand or shredded coconut fibre. Do not overwater. Use a heatboard if possible. Avoid overwatering as with most palms. Cover the exposed half of the nut with a damp cloth or something so the whole thing doesnt crack. There may be variations if the method that will also work.

Time: 24th January 2013 7:08am

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About the Author denise1
auckland NZ
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David says...
How big did the germinating nuts get Denise.Auckland is warm by NZ standards and curious to ask how big it got.

Time: 24th January 2013 12:11pm

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About the Author David
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Nick T says...
Thanks Denise! I got the idea off youtube (The Kiwi Grower http://www.youtube.com/user/TheKiwiGrower?feature=watch). Unfortunately the coconuts at Coles and other shops didn't have any sprouts coming out!

Time: 24th January 2013 1:02pm

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Brendan says...
Hi Nick T,
I remember seeing on tv a coconut grower up north preparing the nuts. He de-husked about 5, placed them in damp sphagnum moss inside a big clear plastic bag, and tied off the top. His succcess rate was over 95%. None had any sprouts, so those from Colesworth should grow.


Time: 25th January 2013 7:48am

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About the Author Brendan
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Nick T says...
Thanks Brendan, do you know if he put them in sun or shade to germinate?

Time: 25th January 2013 10:04am

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Brendan says...
Hi Nick T, I think he left the bag under a coconut tree, mostly shade with a bit of sun.
Mine just fall off the tree(s), lay on the ground and sprout! I had to poison about 60 a few years ago.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 25th January 2013 4:19pm

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Original Post was last edited: 26th January 2013 9:22am

About the Author Brendan
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nickg says...
I would like to try but how do i take the husk off? its bloody thick.
and which way up do i plant?
Any help would be helpfull

Time: 26th January 2013 4:00pm

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Xiem says...
Coconuts don't take much help to germinate; its how they've managed to get around the world by themselves and populate coasts in warm latitudes. Before I would think about how to de-husk a coconut (and they don't need to be de-husked for planting), I would think about why/where I would plant it. They are not a garden tree and can go feral given the right environment. They drop fronds and generally take over other plants. I know people who regret ever putting one in their garden.

Time: 26th January 2013 4:59pm

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About the Author Diego
 
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Xiem says...
I forgot to mention, the fronds and nuts that the trees drop are injurious to the point of being life threatening. Have you thought about kids that might play near the tree when it is mature?

Time: 26th January 2013 5:03pm

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Nick T says...
I think you plant them on their side with one of the three "holes" under the soil.

Time: 26th January 2013 5:06pm

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Xiem says...
You think wrong. It doesn't matter what side you plant them on.

Time: 26th January 2013 5:08pm

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Nickg,

Before doing this process please make sure the nut has some water, not dried up inside.

You do not have to remove the husk. All you have to do is chop off a bit of the husk at the stem to expose the 3 eyes with a BIG knife or an axe. This is just to speed it up but you don't have to.

Soak in a bucket full of water for one week, then cover with moist soil or mulch. The nut should sprout in 6 weeks in warm climate, then plant.

or If you are in tropical area then just bury 1/2 of the nut in soil with the stem up and cover the whole nut with mulch to keep it moist. It takes longer.

Good luck.

Time: 26th January 2013 5:17pm

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nickg says...
Thanks Jujube,
I am off to buy one and try.
Who knows i will have coconuts to share in 2020 Heh!Heh!
Cheers all and happy Australia Day.

Time: 26th January 2013 7:27pm

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JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Nickg,

Please also make sure to buy a nut with brown husk for planting.

Happy gardening.


Time: 27th January 2013 7:36am

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