People can find coconut trees all over the world. They make up a big ratio of the plants in many countries. Coconut trees originated from Southeast Asia and Indonesia. They were planted around the world by humans for cultivation. We have different types of coconuts. The people created best hybrid coconut trees.
Coconut water is refreshing. The electrolytes and antioxidants of coconut water provide good energy. Coconut water helps improve metabolic syndrome. It provides good immune power. It supports a healthy life.
Green, orange, and brown color coconuts are available in the market.
- Green coconuts – They are unripe coconuts. They have much more coconut water.
- Brown coconuts – They are ripped coconuts. They have much more meat.
The yielding starts at the age of six years. A high yield is possible with the hybrid varieties. The coconuts are harvested at different stages of ripening. And there are three stages,
- Young,
- Middle-aged,
- Brown coconuts.
The taste differs. Different types of coconuts have different tastes. And each type would have something particular. They are classified into tall and dwarf varieties based on their height.
Tall Varieties of Coconuts
Tall Varieties take time to yield. The yielding starts after reaching a certain height. They reach incredible heights at maturity. They live longer and are hardier than dwarf varieties.
Some of the popular tall coconut trees.
- West Coast tall,
- East Coast Tall,
- Tiptur Tall,
- Komadan,
- Kappadam,
- Andaman Ordinary,
- Lakshwadweep ordinary,
- Ayiramkachi,
- Basanda,
- Benaulim,
- Kutti yadi
- Kera Sagara,
- Kera Chandra,
- Kalpatharu,
- Kalpa Pratibha,
- Kalpa Dhenu,
- Kalpa Mitra,
- Kera Keralam,
- Kalpa Shatabdi,
- Spicata.
West Coast Tall (WCT)
These types of coconut belongs to the west coast of India. The quality and quantity are good. A high yield is an advantage. They grow well in varied agroclimatic conditions and soil types. They are in green and greenish-yellow colors. The shape varies from oval to oblong. The toddy of the west coast tall coconut is the best choice for jaggery production.
East Coast Tall
The growth period is 6 to 8 years. It yields 70 coconuts per year. The coconuts from these trees contain around 64% of oil.
Tiptur Tall
This variety is famous for its leathery fronds. The yielding begins after 7 years and it is around 70 to 80 per year. These types of coconut require low maintenance.
Komadan
This variety grows well in Central Kerala and Northern Kerala. It is a tall variety. It produces green coloured nuts. It is best for cooking purposes. Its tender coconut water is a perfect choice for making toddy. It is also good for coir production. An average annual yield of 120 coconuts per tree is possible. More than 300 ml of tender coconut water is possible with these types of coconut.
Kappadam
It is a favourite variety in the Thrissur district of Kerala. It is oval-shaped. It is in green color. It ends in quite a pronounced point. The yield starts after 8 to 10 years of planting. The yields are good with these types of coconut. They yield 60-80 fruits per tree. The copra content is 285 g.
Andaman Ordinary
It originates from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is unique with its towering height. It grows to a maximum of 30 meters.
Lakshadweep Ordinary
The drought-tolerant Lakshadweep Ordinary is a tall variety. It originated from Lakshadweep. (It is a native of Lakshadweep.). It belongs to Lakshadweep. The yield starts at about 5 to 6 years after planting. An average annual yield of 100 to 120 coconuts per tree is possible. It is round. Orange and green colors Coconuts are the available choices. This variety provides a good quantity of 300ml of sweet water. The copra content is 160g per coconut. It satisfies household purposes, tender coconut water, and toddy. These types of coconuts are suggested for good-quality copra production. It is better than WCT.
Spicata
This is a tall variety of coconut tree. It starts flowering in around five to eight years after planting. The color is either green or greenish yellow with a thin husk. It is of medium size. An average annual yield of 60 to 80 nuts per tree is possible. These types of coconuts are known for their copra content.
Dwarf Varieties of Coconuts
It is a short variety. It grows to a height of 5-7m. It is assumed to be a mutant of tall types. The yield starts from the third year of planting. The life span is about 30-40 years. The nuts are of small size. The copra is thin. They are low in oil content. They come out in green, yellow, and orange colors. These types of coconuts are usually self-pollinated and homozygous.
The common dwarfs available in India are,
- Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD),
- Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD)
- Gangabondam Green Dwarf (GBGD),
- Kalpasree,
- Green Dwarf,
- Dwarf Orange,
- Kalparaksha,
- Kalpa Surya,
- Kalpa Jyothi,
- Malayan Yellow Dwarf,
- Golden Malay,
- Fiji Dwarf,
- King Coconut,
- Macapuno coconut.
Chowghat Orange Dwarf
This is a dwarf variety. It is an excellent choice for producing tender nut water and meat. Chowghat Orange Dwarf is a good choice. Its adaptability to various environments is excellent.
Kalpasree and Kalparaksha
The Kalpasree and Kalparaksha are dwarf/semi-tall and semi-tall varieties. They are resistant to root wilt disease. Good yields are possible with these types of coconuts.
Green Dwarf
These coconut trees are known to yield nearly 60 to 70 coconuts annually. These types of coconuts start yielding after three to four years.
Dwarf Orange
These types of coconuts grow up to 5 meters. They produce orangish coconuts. The complete maturation takes around 3 to 4 years.
Golden Malayan Dwarf Coconut
It is drought-tolerant. It produces slightly large, dark orange coconuts. The water quantity is always good. They are with less meat.
Fiji Dwarf
Fiji is a small-sized coconut tree cultivated in Florida and the Caribbean. The fruits grow low to the ground. These types of coconuts are best choice for landscape decoration.
King Coconut
These types of coconuts are good in yields. It is with attractive shiny orange husk. The water content is good with high sugar content. It is better than the other varieties of coconut. It makes them decadent and refreshing sources of hydration. It grows up to 10 meters (30 feet).
Macapuno coconut
It is alternatively known as Kopyor Coconut. It is a dwarf variant of the mutant tree. The coconut content is soft. It is almost similar to jelly. The abnormal growth in the endosperm is the reason for this soft nature. The result is an undernourished embryo. It further leads to tenderness.
KGB
KGB is known for its core content and adaptability. The copra content is always good. These types of coconuts adaptability is great.
Hybrid Varieties
Hybrids are one of the major strategies to make coconut farming more remunerative. It enhances productivity through the cultivation of improved varieties. There are 29 improved hybrid varieties. It includes 18 tall and 11 dwarf varieties. It is possible to cultivate in different agroclimatic zones.
- Chandrasankara (COD x WCT)
- Keraganga (WCT X GBGD),
- Lakshaganga (LCT X GBGD),
- Anandaganga (ADOT X GBGD),
- Kerasree (WCT X MYD),
- Kerasoubhagya (WCT X SSAT),
- VHC 1 (ECT X MGD),
- VHC 2 (ECT X MYD),
- VHC 3 (ECT X MOD),
- VPM 5
Chandrasankara
Chandrasankara is a popular hybrid coconut in India. Excellent yield is possible.
Kerasree
It is a slow-maturing type and starts flowering 6-10 years after planting. The life span is good. Its average life period is around 60-70 years. It is an indigenous species.
VHC1 (ECT X MGD)
It is a slow-maturing type and starts flowering 6-10 years after planting. The life span is good. Its average life period is around 60-70 years. It is an indigenous species.
Excellent Health benefits of coconuts
Coconut water
Coconut water has tons of nutrients. This liquid is sweet and refreshing. It contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, phytochemicals, antioxidants, electrolytes, amino acids, cytokines, vitamin C, and carbohydrates nutrients. They are good for weight-conscious people. They help to reduce weight. A reasonable reduction in blood sugar is possible. It improves the immune system.
Coconut oil
It gives a good flavour to dishes. It can be applied to hair. The best glow of hair and skin is possible.
Coconut meat
The Coconut meat is rich in fats, proteins, carbs, and calories. It is a useful ingredient in everyday dishes.
Conclusion
- The taste difference is obvious. Different types of coconuts have different tastes. And each type would have some unique advantage.
- Short-term realization is possible with the dwarf varieties.
- Tall Varieties take much more time to yield. They start producing coconuts after reaching a certain height at maturity.
- Hybrid coconut varieties are good in yields.
- The life span is longer for tall varieties.