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They do best in year round humid heat, which is why their native area is coastal Vietnam and Phillipines
It's not actually known where the coconut palm originates because it has been carried around by people for so long. Just that its origin is almost certainly somewhere between southern India and offshore islands and the tropical western Pacific. Definitely in the tropics though, and not towards the margins of the tropics either.
They can grow in places where the mean temperature of the coolest month falls below 18C, provided it seems that average highs get above about 22C, it is essentially frost free and there is also a warmer summer. Places like Guwahati in India, Durban in South Africa, Brisbane Australia etc. I doubt they would survive in an equatorial highland location with those sort of temperatures year round as none of the year would be warm enough for good growth.
It's also worth noting that the coconut palms in places like Durban tend to look quite ragged compared with those in the true tropics and probably wouldn't naturalise with much success.
They do best in year round humid heat, which is why their native area is coastal Vietnam and Phillipines
Yes, peak optimal growth is at mean temperatures 25C+ year round. But that would be an awfully high standard They look acceptable and live out a complete lifespan in subtropical areas with winters above 15-16C, barring freeze and/or extended chill.
Don't you think it's more valuable to consider what the dominant vegetation pattern is in a region rather than looking at a few outlier species planted there by zone pushers?
Much of the southern US has native subtropical vegetation, including Kentucky, and the UK has none, but you keep saying the UK is subtropical because of some palms that can be grown in gardens there.
Well, here are some great looking Coconut Palms at 31°S in Margate, South Africa....
Below is climate data for a place that is near Margate. If correct, then that means that this place manages to achieve good looking coconut growth without even averaging up to 80°F/27°C for a high during summer — although winter means are no lower than 60°F/16°C. At least just the plant growth, if not counting fruit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Shepstone#Climate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asagi
Yes, peak optimal growth is at mean temperatures 25C+ year round. But that would be an awfully high standard They look acceptable and live out a complete lifespan in subtropical areas with winters above 15-16C, barring freeze and/or extended chill.
That seems indeed the magic number, assuming those are means. However, I do notice that many of the coconut fronts look "burnt" in these humid subtropical areas like Brisbane, Durban, or Margate (as per the image Guajara posted).
Below is climate data for a place that is near Margate. If correct, then that means that this place manages to achieve good looking coconut growth without even averaging up to 80°F/27°C for a high during summer — although winter means are no lower than 60°F/16°C. At least just the plant growth, if not counting fruit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Shepstone#Climate
That seems indeed the magic number, assuming those are means. However, I do notice that many of the coconut fronts look "burnt" in these humid subtropical areas like Brisbane, Durban, or Margate (as per the image Guajara posted).
The quality of the lighting in that photo makes it impossible to judge. I can say that coconuts in Brisbane do just fine as illustrated below. I've never been to South Africa so cannot really comment from first-hand experience but looking at the temperatures for those locations I don't see why they would be any different.
Below is climate data for a place that is near Margate. If correct, then that means that this place manages to achieve good looking coconut growth without even averaging up to 80°F/27°C for a high during summer — although winter means are no lower than 60°F/16°C. At least just the plant growth, if not counting fruit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Shepstone#Climate
That seems indeed the magic number, assuming those are means. However, I do notice that many of the coconut fronts look "burnt" in these humid subtropical areas like Brisbane, Durban, or Margate (as per the image Guajara posted).
Could well be the wind. Most of the South African coast is pretty windy, which tends to cosmetically damage foliage. Even very tough plants like Canary island date palms can get quite wind burnt in exposed locations, like these in Cape Town.
Coconuts grow quickly once summer heat arrives and can do quite a dramatic green up in just a few months. You see this a lot especially in central Florida, some slight yellowing at the end of winter to pristine verdant green by mid summer. So it depends on the timing of photos.
For truly thriving pristine coconuts look at Sri Lanka or New Guinea. That stretch along the equator is the center of diversity (origin) for coconut. It's actually amazing how (relatively) adaptable they are given their deep tropical maritime origin.
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They look acceptable and live out a complete lifespan in subtropical areas with winters above 15-16C, barring freeze and/or extended chill.
