A coconut palm thrives in a tropical climate and is indigenous to many parts of the world. Each of its parts can be utilized for something. For example, the fruit is used for making desserts, ice creams, and cookies, and even for quenching thirst. Coconut oil is used for culinary purposes and it is also used for skin and hair care purposes. The shell is used as fuel and the husks of the shell are used to make ropes. Similarly, there are multiple uses due to which it is popularly referred to as the ‘tree of thousand uses.
About Coconut Tree
It is believed that the coconut palm has existed in human civilization for hundreds of centuries. Several varieties exist in different parts of the world. They comprise tall coconut, Mayan coconut, orange dwarf coconut, green dwarf coconut, and more. Each of these varieties differs when it comes to tree height, yield and quality of nuts, and structure.
Parts of the Tree & Their Uses
Here are some of the key uses of a coconut tree:
Trunk
The strong trunk of this tree can be used to make houses, furniture, bridges, and other infrastructural projects. It is also used to make percussion instruments like drums.
Roots
The roots of the coconut palm can be used as an oral mouthwash or toothbrush. It is also used in the manufacturing process of dyes.
Branches
Brooms, roofing materials, and other tools like toothpicks are made from the branches. You can use its leaves to make hats, baskets, mats, and other accessories and decorations.
Husk
Apart from its use in making ropes, husks are also used to make coco peat. Coco peat is a growing medium that allows plants to grow well.
Fruit
Coconut palm fruit is used as a key ingredient in several cuisines. It is especially popular in the south where curries, chutneys, and other dishes contain it as a flavoring ingredient. The oil obtained from the pulp is used as cooking oil.
Pure and unadulterated coconut oil is also used as a hair oil due to the presence of Vitamin E and other nutrients in it. Coconut essential oil is made from coconut meat and is ideal for massage purposes. It is also used as a key ingredient in cosmetics and skin care products due to its moisturizing properties.
Thus, you can see that every part of the tree from the root to the fruits is useful. In Sanskrit, it is also called Kalpavriksha and is used in Hindu rituals.
How to grow coconut trees at home?
Growing coconut palm trees at home can be tricky because they need much care and attention during the initial growth phase. If it does not get proper nutrition, its leaves start blackening which ultimately affects the plant’s growth. Natural fertilizers that comprise copper, zinc, iron, manganese, and some other nutrients can be mixed in the soil for ensuring the proper growth of the tree.
The coconut tree diseases like bud rot i.e. yellowing of leaves also reduce the yield of nuts drastically. If the leaves bend and become yellow, it might be due to the rotting of the roots. Organic manure, ensuring proper watering and drainage systems can be employed to get rid of these issues. Now, let’s see how to grow a coconut palm!
Follow these steps for growing this tree in your home garden
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First, you must take a fresh coconut that still has some water left in it. Then, you must soak it for at least 3 days.
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Once the coconut is soaked completely, you can plant it in well-drained soil. Adding vermiculite or sand to the soil can help the coconut to shoot early. Ensure that at least one-third part of the coconut remains above the medium or soil.
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Ensure that the container in which you have planted receives ample sunlight. Coconut palms grow well in areas that are at least 21 degrees hot around the year.
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You must water the coconut adequately but also ensure that the container drains the water completely. The seedling should start appearing within a period of 6 or 3 months.
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If you spot a sprouted coconut, you can plant it using the same steps to grow the plant faster.
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Ensure that the coconut palm does not have to endure cold winds and drafts during the winter season. You can place these plants indoors, especially during cold and frosty winter nights.
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Once the plant starts growing, you can remove it from the pot and place it in an open area. Also, ensure that the growing plant gets enough nutrients through fertilizers and manure. You must also keep the soil drained and well-aerated to achieve quick growth.
Visit Ugaoo.com to get coco coir pots, and coco peat, or to learn more about home gardening. You will also get a multiplex coconut mix which helps in regular flowering and can yield better-quality coconuts.
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