You failed to mention the role of humidity in the demise of coconut palms in
so cal. There are NO mature coconut palms in Southern California unless
they are in greenhouses. Our humidity gets into the teens at times
throughout the year; this is a semi-desert. Coconut palms need high
humidity to survive and that is just not possible unless you are in a
greenhouse. Although I encourage experimentation most of the time, growing
coconut palms outdoors in So. Cal. is an exercise in futility in my opinion.

From: "Kylecawaza"
Organization: http://groups.google.com
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Date: 21 Jan 2005 17:21:09 -0800
Subject: Growing Coconut Palm Trees in Southern California

Here is a link to a photo of the one in NEwport BEach:

http://www.spectresjungle.com/v-web/...pics/10053/nor
mal_IMGP4447.JPG

If you want them to survive outdoors unaided, make sure they are in a
south facing area and do not water them in the winter no matter how
tempting it is. Also have it in very well draining soil. They die of
cold wet roots and not the cold air temperature (they die underground
in CA before over ground) so once you prevented that it should be good.