Light. Needs full sun and room, away from crowding trees.
Water. Give at least 1 inch of water a week from rain or irrigation, especially the first year. Once established it tolerates dry soil and a few days of flooding.
Soil and feeding. Grows in most well-drained soils, from pH 5.0 to 8.0. Feed every two to three months with an 8-2-12-4Mg controlled-release palm fertilizer such as Palm Special, spread under the whole canopy.
Size. Grows to about 25 ft. 'Malayan Dwarf' is smaller and slower growing than the tall coconuts, which can reach 80–100 ft.
Problems to watch. Orange spotting on the oldest leaves means potassium shortage, the most common deficiency. Lethal yellowing is the main disease; on 'Malayan Dwarf' leaves wilt and brown instead of yellowing. Avoid wounding the trunk.
Good to know. Tolerates salt spray and wind and usually survives hurricanes. Temperatures below 32°F can injure or kill it. Each coconut takes about a year to ripen; keep fallen fruit out of canals and waterways.
