We are not realistic, we are optimistic, for me and a lot of palm growers it's the challenge of accomplishing what others deem to be impossible or senseless. Up to about a year ago I had no clue there was such a thing as a hardy palm, now I have Trachys, queens, COCONUTS, Bismarck's, washys, pindos, christmas and more.
Why build a hot rod? Why fish? Why collect guns? It's a hobby and a passion.
So, I think thats why.

That pretty much sums it up....for me, since they should not grow in California, they're a true exotic....it's rewarding to grow....and if it dies, it's a $20-25 loss....big deal.

My stock portfolio lost much more than that on friday....LOL.

I'm sure most palmists try one. I tried about 7 or 8 years back. A seedling for $10 to $15. Did good outside in the pot. Couldn't last through October. The soil temps drop off too quick. These guys need minimum 60º soil to survive.

They like full sun so indoors is a big challange as well. I can't think of anyone who has managed to keep a Cocos or other truly tropical alive over a winter or two----except maybe Andy. He seems to have the "touch".

I've had a good chuckle at the threads on this first page. About 3/4ths are for coconuts, and about 1/2 of those were old threads. People really using that search function. LOL

I can totally see the fascination with coconuts. Fortunately, I'm in one of those areas in which they grow to their natural proportions.

Nothing symbalizes the tropics like a coconut. In addition they are VERY fast growers. Even indoors in the winter if you give them low 70s and direct sun they grow.

I can't climb a mountain,so I will try to grow a coconut.
And have been lucky now going on a full second summer.
Although,I left it out the night of the first April freeze,and the temps dropped down to 39*,I read they will take 37* for a couple hours,without leaf damage,and sure enough it came through smelling like a rose,little did I know that it would take from April to 4th July before it shoot another leaf,that is 4 months,so I believe some cold damaged to the roots did occur,but here it is today,so I think it's on it's way back.

Here's another one I bought back in May,that had just recently germinated and had only 3 leaves,look at it now,it's almost got up with my 2yr old,and ready to pass it.

They look mgreat, believe it or not you mauy need to re-pot them this summer. I oldest one that died had about twice that much growth and was in a pot twice that size. I did a root autopsy and was amazed at how much root mass there was and the thickness of the roots.

IM COO-COO FOR COCONUTS! Now that I have one. But I still hate Lowe's!