Coconut is a tropical fruit plant grown on a large scale in tropical and subtropical areas. Every part of the coconut palm is useful. It supplies fruitful drinks, copra ,oil and shelter. As the coconut matures the water gets sweeter and the meat begins to build.
Coconut palm grows well in equatorial climate, thrives well up to temperatures of 1000m above sea level and well distributed rainfall ranging from 100 to 300 cm. They can grow in a wide range of soil conditions ranging from laterite, alluvial, red sandy loam soil having a pH range from 5.5 -8.0. The soil should also be fertile and have good drainage.
Coconut planting and spacing
Planting distance depends on the type of plant or variety. Spacing may be seven to eight metres both ways for tall varieties. During planting open up pits of 0.75 by 0.75 by 0.75 m and fill them with a mixture of compost, bone meal, super phosphate well before the monsoon.
Coconut palm is mainly propagated by seeds. Since the quality of palms depends on the quality of the seedlings, utmost importance should be given to select the best nuts.
Irrigation and nutrition
Weed and stir around the plant frequently and keep the interspace clean or utilize it for planting other crops, seasonal or perennials. The coconut palm requires large quantities of water for its normal growth and timely production. Regular irrigation helps to increase the fruit size. However, avoid stagnation of water and ill drain.
Young plants need proper care during the early stages of growth. To get good yields palms should be fertilized regularly and with quick frequency. Every well grown palm should be applied with 25 ha of Farm yard manure per palm once in a year to avoid any micronutrient disorders.
Harvesting and post harvesting
A male coconut flower opens first followed by the female flower. Well developed nuts should be harvested one month earlier to full maturity. It takes six months for a coconut to become mature. Nuts harvested at less than nine months of age will be dry , spoilt or with thin layers of copra.
