How and where do coconuts grow?

Coconut is an exotic, amazing fruit, which many like for its unusual taste and stunning delicate fragrance. For those who are fans of this product, in this article we want to talk about how and where coconuts grow.

The history of the appearance of coconut

Before talking about where coconuts grow, it's worth mentioning the history of this amazing plant. Strangely enough, it is still not known exactly how such interesting palm trees appeared on the planet. But there are a number of legends and assumptions about this issue. As far as they are true, it is difficult to judge. However, all botanists still tend to the opinion that the plant has a very long-standing origin, its history goes back to those distant times when dinosaurs still wandered around the earth.

The fruits of coconut have an interesting property - they are incredibly light and waterproof. As trees grow on the shores of the oceans, the ripened nuts fall into the water and are carried by currents to all corners of the planet. Almost all versions say that the homeland of coconut palms can be considered southeast Asia, India, California, the islands in the Pacific Ocean. Interesting is the fact that fossilized coconuts were found in New Zealand, it is also known that in India palm trees have been growing for 4000 years. Therefore, some scientists are inclined to believe that the native land of the plant can be considered the shores of the Indian Ocean. In general, there are many opinions, and they are all quite different. However, it is reliably known that the place of plant growth is the equatorial belt.

Where grow bananas and coconuts? On this question, it would seem, it is easy to answer: "Where there is heat ..." In part this judgment is true. But not all readers know that coconuts grow in Asia, Africa, Oceania, Central and South America. In total, the plant is widespread and safely yields in 89 countries of the world.

The ocean coasts are those places where coconuts grow in natural natural conditions. As we have already mentioned, this is due to their way of moving through the water. But now coconut palms grow in many countries far from the coast, which is already the result of people's activities.

Coconut palm

The uniqueness of the coconut palm is that it is the only and unique representative of the Coconut genus belonging to the Palm family. There are only intraspecies varieties. The basis of the classification is the size of the plant.

High coconut palms are distinguished, which are widely used for commercial and domestic cultivation. The height of such plants is 25-30 meters. Such palm trees grow slowly in adulthood, and begin to bear fruit 6-10 years after planting. Interesting is the fact that the coconut tree fructifies for sixty years, and sometimes even longer. Every year, every plant gives dozens of nuts. Such palms are cross-pollinated, and therefore they are planted in groups.

Dwarf plants

Dwarf palm trees (coconut) grow to only ten meters in height, fruit begin in three years, as soon as they reach one meter. Plants live much less than their large brethren - only 30-40 years. Such palms are self-pollinating, and therefore they do not need relatives in the neighborhood.

Root system of palms

Sometimes people ask themselves where coconuts grow: on a tree or on the ground? Do not confuse pineapples, which really grow on the ground, with coconuts growing on palms.

It should be understood that wherever coconuts grow, any other plant would quickly perish. And the palms for decades have been safely felt thanks to their root system. The peculiarity of plants is that they do not have stem roots, but they are armed with a lot of fibrous roots, which all look like a broom. And they grow from the thickening at the bottom of the trunk. The outer roots creep along a horizontal surface, and the inner roots go down, penetrating the ten-meter depth.

It is this unusual structure of the roots that allows palm trees to grow beautifully on the sandy coast, which is prone to winds, tides and ebbs. But even such a system is sometimes not enough. Quite often you can see fancy plants with curved trunks and washed roots from the soil.

Structure of the plant

The trunk of the plant does not have branches, it grows from one apical kidney. It is called the heart of coconut. It is a set of folded buds of leaflets. The trunk at the base in adulthood reaches eighty centimeters in diameter. The rest of the trunk has one diameter - forty centimeters. It must be said that in the first years the plant develops very rapidly and for a year can give a 1.5-meter gain. But over time, the palm grows up and begins to slow down in growth and adds only 10-15 centimeters. The trunk of a plant does not have a cambium, and therefore it can not repair damaged tissue. If a plant loses a single kidney, it leads to its death.

But adult palms build up on their trunk 18 000 vascular bunches, which help them withstand significant damage. We have already mentioned that in regions where coconuts grow, storms, winds, tides and ebbs are frequent, and plants are sometimes traumatized.

The first leaves of the future palm, sprouting from the walnut, look like feathers. Only after 8-10 first leaves begin to grow real. An adult plant a year gives 12-16 new leaves.

Simultaneously, on the palm tree, they grow up to 30-40 pieces. The mature leaf of coconut has a length of 3-4 meters and is divided into 200-250 stripes. He remains on the trunk for three years, after which it disappears. And on the tree there is a scar. On these scars you can determine the approximate age of the plant. To do this, divide the number of scars by thirteen. This will be the approximate age of the coconut palm.

Flowering plants

Where do coconuts grow? On the tree, inflorescences are formed in the form of an ear, each of which is in the axillary of the leaf. Palms have flowers of male and female gender. Men are always more than female. Four months after the separation of the leaf, a rudiment of inflorescence appears, and the flowers themselves grow after another 22 months. And a year later the sheath of the inflorescence will unfold. At first masculine flowers blossom, and only then women. Approximately 50-70 percent of flowers are not pollinated, especially in dry weather. And from the pollinated fruit develops, which ripen throughout the year.

What is the fruit?

The fruits of coconut themselves are fibrous drupes. The young nut on the outside has a smooth surface of green or reddish-brown color. Ripe fruits are covered with fibers, which are successfully used in various sectors of the national economy, and then inside there is a waterproof shell. It protects the core. It is thanks to this shell that coconuts travel the world. Inside, the nut is covered with flesh (12 millimeters), and in the center is the liquid.

In the immature state, it is transparent. Further, it becomes turbid and decreases in quantity, turning into coconut milk. Fruits have many useful properties, because of what they are actively used in cooking and other areas of life.

Where do coconuts grow?

We mentioned that the equatorial belt is a typical habitat for plants. Where bananas and coconuts grow, there they have long been industrial crops, which are grown for further sale and processing. Plants not only decorate the coast, but also planted in huge plantations.

For example, India is known as the birthplace of spices. However, the country is not only engaged in their cultivation. At first glance it is difficult to say where coconuts grow in India. Yes, in principle, everywhere, including the famous Goa - is an island that has a suitable climate and geographical location for the cultivation of coconut palms, cashew nuts, fruits. Here is a huge number of plantations, which grow and coconuts.

For example, the plantation of Pascual, located near the village of Khandepar, borders on the tributary of the Mandovi River. Owners of lands are engaged not only in the cultivation of coconuts, spices, nuts of bread trees and mangoes, but also receive tourists. Here cottages are built, where guests can stay. On the territory of the plantation excursions are conducted, during which you can learn about how crops grow, what they are doing and why they are needed.

In addition, the island has a number of similar farms that are engaged in the cultivation of coconuts. These are plantations "Savoy", "Sakahari", etc.

On the mainland, coconut palms also grow everywhere. However, there are some peculiarities. For example, in the central part of India plants grow to the height of a five-story house, and the fruits themselves reach the size of a human head. Such a coconut weighs up to two kilograms.

But to the south of the palm grow much lower, but at the same time their fruits are smaller. In general it is worth noting that coconuts in India grow almost everywhere. Here they are very fond of and widely used in life products from them.

Where do coconuts grow? In New Zealand, China, Cambodia, Mozambique, Guinea, Cameroon ... The list of countries is incredibly long. In general, it can be said that the plant grows in areas with tropical climate, which is a real paradise for coconut palms.

Coconuts in Russia

Where do coconuts grow in Russia? This plant can be found only in botanical gardens or miniature versions - in house greenhouses. Of course, to wait for fruiting at home is unlikely to work, but in the house there may be a small exotic plant. If you really want to plant a coconut, then the best place for him is a greenhouse. The process of leaving is quite troublesome, but with a great desire it is still worth a try. The most suitable are two species: nut-bearing and Wedel. A quality mature fruit should be immersed in the ground and wait for the appearance of sprouts. After a while from the coconut will appear sprouts that turn into leaves. And later a wide trunk will start forming from them.

Care of the plant

The plant loves the heat, but not the intense heat. Optimal temperature is 20 degrees. The coconut palm needs additional lighting. Also it is worth remembering that the plant loves moisture, and therefore needs daily spraying and copious irrigation in the warm period. The palm tree can not be disturbed once more, and even more so to transplant, as it is possible to disturb the root system.

It is worth noting that coconuts are very common throughout the world. They are not present only on the European continent. From Europe, the plant is only in Spain, and even then not on the mainland, but on the Canary Islands, located near Morocco in Africa.

Instead of an afterword

Concluding the conversation about where the coconuts grow (photos are shown in the article), I want to say that the plant is associated in our imagination with white sandy beaches and the ocean, and that's why it beckons with its exoticism. But do not forget that the fruit itself is incredibly useful. Knowingly it is so popular in places of growth. Its flesh and oil are actively used in cooking. A nut milk is tasty and healthy. Of course, in our latitudes it is difficult to buy a really delicious and good fruit, since coconuts are often removed for transportation in green. And when transporting coconuts deteriorate. But if you happen to visit tropical countries, try a real ripe fruit, you will surely appreciate its taste and aroma.