Parajubaea cocoides
| Parajubaea cocoides | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Parajubaea cocoides (common name: quito palm)
Propagation: Seed - sow in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. It usually germinates freely. Stored seed is more difficult to germinate, it should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water before sowing in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cultivation: Requires a sunny sheltered position in a well-drained soil but with plenty of water in the growing season[1]. Plants probably require a cool summer and quickly lose vigour in areas where night temperatures do not fall below 13°c[1].
Plants experience sub-zero temperatures in their native range and it should therefore be possible to grow them in warm temperate zones that only experience occasional light frosts[2]. They will possibly succeed in the milder areas of Cornwall[3].
This species has a deep penetrating root systems and generally establishes best when planted out at a young stage. It is not suitable for container cultivation[3]. Older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[3], so if the plants can be protected from frosts in their earlier years it might be possible to grow them in areas at the limit of their cold tolerance.
Plants are relatively fast-growing for a palm and can produce fruit in 4 years from seed[1]. Trees are deep rooted[1].
Range: S. America - Ecuador, Colombia.
Habitat: Found at altitudes from 2000 to 3000 metres[1].
Edibility: Seed - raw or cooked[1]. A sweet taste, it is a very popular food with children[1]. The seed is about 2cm long[2].
An edible oil is obtained from the seed[1].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Monoecious
Links
References