Palm Trees Progress - Two leaves in two years.... (Panai Maram and Karupatti Kaapi)
My dear social friends, brothers and sisters ...
Vanakkam, Namaste and good day!.
Last month , I visited India and I will share the latest progress and latest experiences from farm.
This blog is about palm trees. Two years back, I planted around 100 palm trees. Here is the old blog:
https://blog.prabakarpaulsami.com/2021/11/planted-100-palm-trees-palmyra-palm.html
I visited my farm, happy to see some progress and sharing the same here.
The interesting fact is that, after two years of planting and waiting, I see now two leaves. :). Not all trees survived, but many survived our last year drought.
It took two years, to see some visible progress as see you below.
Many trees still have just one leave as you see below.
Palm Trees take longer time to grow. An average growth rate is: 3 to 10 inches per year.
What does it mean: This plantation is for next generation. I am sure that, I will not get any benefits from this plantation. But, preserving/growing this tree for next generation. It is our state tree. :)
As always: Farming gives patience. Farming gives freshness to your mind.
Do we have that much patience in our life to see this slow progress, in the fast paced world? - Nature always wins, isnt it?
Here is the long view from farm, and you have to really zoooom in to see those palm baby trees. I have planted these around the fencing area of my farm.
We get two things from palm trees: 1. Ice Apple. 2. Karupatti
In Chennai, we see many "karuppati kaapi or karuppati coffee" cafe. Where do they get those karuppattis?. Please do ask whenever you visit those cafe. :) - Are they really organic?
OK, everyone. Hope you enjoy reading these and thinking about future generations and our nature.
We will catch up in the next blog and take care!
Bye, Nandri.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am planning to plant palm and other trees after Summer this year. From your article, it was good to know that we need to be patient to see panai maram growing up.
ReplyDeletePalm tree vs coconut tree—while often used interchangeably, these two towering icons of tropical landscapes have distinct differences that set them apart. From the shape and texture of their trunks to the type of fruit they bear, understanding these differences can help you appreciate the unique characteristics that define each species.
ReplyDeleteTrunk Appearance:
Palm Tree: Palm trees have a variety of trunk appearances depending on the species. Some have smooth trunks, while others are rough and textured. The trunk can be slender or thick, and it might have scars or leaf bases left behind by fallen fronds.
Coconut Tree: Coconut trees typically have tall, slender, and smooth trunks with a slightly curved shape. The trunk often has ring-like scars from where the fronds have fallen off. The trunk's color can range from grayish to light brown.
Leaves:
Palm Tree: Palm trees generally have large, fan-shaped (palmate) or feather-shaped (pinnate) leaves. The size and shape of the leaves can vary widely depending on the species.
Coconut Tree: Coconut trees have long, arching, feather-shaped (pinnate) leaves that can grow up to 20 feet in length. The leaves are arranged at the top of the trunk, forming a crown.
Fruit:
Palm Tree: Not all palm trees produce coconuts. The type of fruit a palm tree bears varies greatly, ranging from dates (Date Palm) to berries (Acai Palm) or even no edible fruit at all.
Coconut Tree: The coconut tree specifically produces coconuts, which are large, brown, and fibrous fruits containing coconut water and flesh.
Height:
Palm Tree: The height of palm trees varies significantly depending on the species, ranging from dwarf varieties that are a few feet tall to towering species that can reach over 100 feet.
Coconut Tree: Coconut trees are generally tall, often reaching heights of 60-100 feet, with a smooth, slender trunk.
Habitat:
Palm Tree: Palm trees can be found in various climates, from tropical to subtropical, and some species can even thrive in arid environments.
Coconut Tree: Coconut trees thrive in tropical coastal regions where there is plenty of sunlight, high humidity, and sandy, well-drained soils.
Usage:
Palm Tree: Different species of palm trees are used for ornamental purposes, food (e.g., dates, acai), and materials like palm oil and rattan.
Coconut Tree: Coconut trees are primarily cultivated for their coconuts, which are used for food, oil, water, coir, and other products. The wood and leaves are also used in construction and crafts.
In summary, while all coconut trees are palm trees, not all palm trees are coconut trees. Coconut trees are a specific type of palm known for their distinct trunk, leaves, and fruit.