Coconuts are much adored, and those in warm climates can grow their own coconut tree. Coconut fruits are the most widely used nut in the world. It’s safe to say you’ve probably heard of coconut coir, and you’ve enjoyed the delectable dried and sugared shavings of coconut. But have you ever considered growing a coconut tree yourself? Not only can you harvest the delicious flesh of a tropical coconut in the right climate, but you can also use the fibrous fruit coat in soil mixes, too.
So much can be done with coconuts and the coconut palm that it might as well be the signature feature of the tropics. The coconut tree fruit is commonly used in cooking, and mature coconuts contain hydrating coconut water. But there’s so much mystery surrounding coconut cultivation. That’s pretty incredible when you consider coconut fruits are the most widely used nut in the world.
You may think, “I can’t grow coconut palm. I live in Maine.” But that’s not exactly true! And what’s more, you may not need as much space to grow a coconut palm tree in northern USDA zones as you would in the tropics. How is this possible? Read on, and let’s explore the wondrous Cocos nucifera. The scientific name of coconut palms is Cocos nucifera, known commonly as coconut, coconut palm, and the succinct coco. Coconut is the most important commercial nut crop in the world. Not only do people across the world center their lives around coconut trees, but the economies of coconut-producing countries benefit greatly from coconut production.