Can coconut palm survive anywhere in CA?

[NewGen]

I'm talking about the kind in south Florida that you can drink the juice from.

Thanks,

[barath]

There was a good discussion at cloudforest about this a little while back:

http://www.cloudforest.com/cafe/palms-pnw/coconuts-finally-growing-southern-california-t6295.html

I think the conclusion is that they can grow in warm areas of southern california (Zone 10b/11a areas) but won't fruit.

[fruitlovers]

Don't think anybody has been able to fruit coconuts in California. They don't do well when temperatures drop below 50F, especially for extended periods. Also they don't like low humidity levels.

[JF]

Grow yes fruit doubtful

[fyliu]

Sure, I've seen sprouted coconuts sold in IKEA before. They'll survive until someone buys them.

I'm guessing you meant in CA without a heated greenhouse?

[RodneyS]

I remember reading someone in South OC/North SD having a fruiting tree

[marklee]

The only one that survived for several years was one planted near a sidewalk in Newport Beach. Another one according to Jim Neitzel was being grown by Paul Fisher in El Cajon near San Diego. I’ve had a Manila palm aka. Christmas palm  in a 25 gallon outside for almost 10 years, this is the first year it has produced the bright red seeds which look like Christmas lights.

[Xenon]

Yes they will grow and even fruit in the desert
http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/46003-is-this-a-coconut-or-am-i-dreaming/&page=7

[OCchris1]

I knew it! Great find Xenon. Chris

[Guayaba]

Growing coconut palms is the holy grail of palm growing in California.  A few people have had luck growing them in favored locations and in the right microclimate (Newport Beach and the Coachella Valley).  Most people have failed to grow coconuts for more than just a few years here.  I tried several times to grow coconuts and even used soil heating cables and only had the palms survive for three years.  There are examples of coconut palms growing in similar climates such as Madeira Island http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/43280-cocos-nucifera-on-madeira-island/.  Notice that in the Madeira Island example and in Newport Beach, the palms are planted in a heat island where there is a lot of asphalt and concrete.  The soil temperatures tend to be too low in winter time for coconuts to survive and the same goes for tropical fruit trees that can take down to 30-32F.  The damage temperatures are not the only problem and includes low soil temperatures at 50F or lower for extended periods of time.  I gave up growing coconuts and tried a look-alike closely related species Beccariophoenix alfredii.