REHOBOTH ORGANIC FARMS

About Coconut farming:

• Coconut trees are lovely plants that produce tasty fruit.
• They grow naturally in tropical climates, but you can also plant one at home.
• It’s an easy process that will produce a charming addition to any yard or home.
• The coconut palm grows well in a equatorial climate.
• The long spells of hot and dry weather, severe winters and extremes of temperatures are not favorable for coconut growing.
• However, it thrives well upto 1000 m above the sea level
• The well distributed rainfall ranging from 100 to 300 cm is favorable.

How to plant Coconut saplings in the farm:

• Adopt a spacing of 25′ x 25′ (7.5 x 7.5 m) with 175 plants/ha.
• For planting in field border as a single row, adopt 20′ spacing between plants.
• Dug pit size of 3’ x 3′ x 3′.
• In the pits, Fill the pit to a height of two feet (60 cm) with FYM, red earth and sand mixed in equal proportions.
• At the center of the pit, remove the soil mixture and plant the seedling after removing all the roots. 
• Press the soil well around the seedling and provide the seedling with shade by using plaited coconut leaves or palmy leaves.
• Keep the pits free from weeds.
• Remove soil covering the collar region.
• As the seedlings grow and form stem, fill up the pits gradually by cutting the sides.
• Proper supply of moisture either through well distributed rainfall or irrigation and sufficient drainage are essential for coconut.
• Coconut can be grown in soil with pH of 5.2 – 8.6.

How to fertilize Coconut tree:

• To get a good yield, palms should be fertilized regularly and with a quick frequency,
• Bimonthly applications are more beneficial.
• From 5 th year onwards, apply 50 kg of FYM or compost or green manure in two equal splits during June – July and December – January.
• Apply manures and fertilizers in circular basins of 1.8 m from the base of the palm, incorporate and irrigate.
• During 2nd, 3rd and 4th year ¼, ½ and ¾ doses of the above fertilizer schedule should be adopted
• Sufficient moisture should be present at the time of manuring.
• Fertilization may be done at monthly intervals with 75% of the recommended dose of the above fertilizers.

How to irrigate Coconut tree:

• The coconut palm requires large quantities of water for its normal growth and timely production.
• In normal conditions and in absence of rains every palm needs about 16-18 litre water daily.
• Regular irrigation helps to increase the fruit set, improve size and copra content.
• However, stagnation of water and ill drained conditions should be strictly avoided.
• Coconut palm responds to summer irrigation.
• Production of female flowers and setting % increases considerably due to irrigation.
• Since spadix initiation to ripening of nuts takes nearly 42 months, the full benefit of irrigation can be felt only after 3 years.
• Burying the Coconut husk or coir dust is one of the most effective ways of conserving soil moisture.
• These husks coir dusts can act as sponge and absorb and retain moisture about 6-10 times respectively to their own weight and slowly relative to the coconut trees during dry periods.
• As the husk or dust breaks down slowly, their effect will last for 4-6 years and 8-10 years respectively.
• On decomposition they also add potash to the soil.
• These husks or dusts can be added in pits / trenches taken in between the trees but in all the cases depth should be 0.6m and 1.8m away from the bole.
• Husks / dusts can be added in alternate layers with soil.
• Each palm requires 55 to 120 litres of water every day.
• Since availability of irrigation water is scanty, for judicious utilization of this resource, adoption of drip irrigation system is most ideal.
• Drip irrigation is known to save about 30 – 40% water with 38% – 40% increase in yield compared to basin irrigation system apart from conserving soil and reducing the competition from weeds for water and nutrients.

Flowering of Coconut tree:

• Coconut trees typically begin flowering between 5 to 10 years after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. 
• Once they start, they can flower continuously for decades, producing fruit year-round.
• Dwarf varieties may flower as early as 3 years, while tall varieties often take 7–10 years.
• The flowering structure, called a spadix, takes about 14 months to develop from initiation to emergence
• Coconut palms are monoecious, meaning they produce both male and female flowers on the same inflorescence.
• The male flowers are smaller and more numerous, located on the upper branches.
• The female flowers are larger and fewer, found at the base of the spadix
• Pollination is mainly by wind and insects, aided by the nectar and fragrance of the flowers.
• Cross-pollination is common, but coconut flowers can also self-pollinate.
• After pollination, fruit development takes about 9 months, with coconuts maturing and falling naturally

Harvesting of Coconut:

• Harvesting coconuts is a skillful process that depends on the tree’s height, the maturity of the fruit, and local practices.
• Tender coconuts (for water): harvested at 6–7 months after flowering.
• Mature coconuts (for copra/oil): harvested at 11–12 months after flowering.
• Trees produce coconuts year-round, so harvesting is done every 45–60 days.
• Climbing the tree: Traditional method using a rope or belt.
• Using a sickle on a long pole: Common for shorter trees or where climbing is risky.
• Trained monkeys: Rare, but still practiced in parts of Southeast Asia.
• Mechanical lifts or cherry pickers: Used in commercial farms with tall trees.
• Coconuts are collected and sorted by maturity.
• Tender coconuts are often sold fresh.
• Mature ones are husked and dried for copra, or processed for oil and other products.