Growing Starfruit Tree in tropics is easy. But if you live in a cold climate learn How to Grow a Carambola (Star Fruit) Tree in containers.
Native to Southeast Asia, Starfruit has a delicious tangy taste and a star shape when sliced. This fruit is beared by the Carambola tree which features oval shape leaflets and purple flowers. Keep reading this article to know How To Grow Starfruit?
USDA Zones: 9-11
Difficulty: Easy
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Other Names: Foreign peach, Carambola, Five corners, Star fruit, Kamrakh, Karambal, Caturappuli, Yang Tao, and Kamranga
Starfruit Tree Information
Where does Starfruit Grow?
Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) also called star fruit. It comes from Southeast Asia mainly from SriLanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia and is cultivated today mostly in many subtropical and tropical areas. It belongs to the family of Oxalidaceae. To learn more, check out this article.
Growing Habit
Carambola tree can be between 6 to 10 meters tall. It’s a slow-growing evergreen tree. Its leaves are about 20 to 50 cm long. The tree bears tufty pink flowers that are directed towards the leaf axils or at the trunk or branch.
How to Grow Star Fruit
In tropics, you can plant starfruit tree in any season, except summer. But if you’re growing in the cold climate, summer is the best planting season.
Choose a location that is sunny. Starfruit plants can be planted directly on the ground if you have space and you’re living in the subtropical and tropical region (particularly in USDA Zones 9, 10, or 11) or in a pot below these zones, in colder regions.
The main advantage of growing starfruit in a pot is that you can bring it inside in a greenhouse during winters.
Growing Starfruit Tree from Seeds
Only large and thick seeds are suitable for propagation. Even seeds that were already removed a few days from the fruit are inviable. Fruits that you’ve bought from the supermarket usually have no viable seeds.
Tip: Instead of growing starfruit from seeds, it’s better to buy grafted saplings from a nearby nursery.
Starfruit Tree Growing Requirements
Soil
Starfruit grows in a variety of soil types but soil that is well-drained, loamy, and rich in organic matter is suitable.
Watering
The plant should be regularly watered when it’s young. Once established, water only when the soil is dry.
Fertilizing
Fertilize young starfruit with 10-10-10 fertilizer every month, except in winter. Mature trees should be fertilized at the beginning of the growing season. Additionally, you can apply compost or manure to improve the soil texture.
Pests and Diseases
Starfruit is somewhat a pest-free tree. However, fruit flies and scales may attack it.
Also Read: Best Low Maintenance Fruit Trees
Harvesting
After 3 years of planting carambola blooms for the first time, flowers take around 2 months to become a fruit. Its green-yellow fruit is about 12 cm long and usually, have 5 longitudinal ribs. A ripe starfruit can be recognized by its yellow-orange flesh. It’s juicy and sweet and sour in taste. It has a high content of oxalic acid and is rich in vitamins A and C.
Also Read: Create a Tropical Garden in Cold Climate
just planted four year old seeds from a supermarket fruit in a sealed container containing damp potting compost. Result two seedlings (66% germination) now 11″ high. Should I nip the top out for a bush shape or grow a standard plant.
I live in the UK near the Yorkshire coast.
I would grow it as a standard initially then when it’s about a metre tall then pinch for branching out . It can get quite bushy and loaded with fruit. I have one that I have grown like that. It takes about 3 years to fruit.
(I know this question above is 3 years old, but my answer might be useful to someone else.)
I would grow it as a standard initially then when it’s about a metre tall, pinch for branching out . It can get quite bushy and loaded with fruit. I have one that I have grown like that. It takes about 3 years to fruit.
If planted in the ground place in loamy soil. Situate in plenty of sun and it can be grown near a wall or fence (south facing if possible). Though it’s an evergreen plant I would keep it in a pot and bubble wrap and protect with fleece the first few winters. If you do lose leaves, don’t panic, they will grow back (just give it some slow release winter food). Water regularly and fertilize in the spring and occasionally in the growing season. Mine did when it lost its leaves last winter and now its healthy and robust. (I know the question above is 3 years old, but my answer might be useful to someone else.) Hope this is useful to someone. I am based in Derbyshire.
Just a couple of amendments to my previous answer. Starfruit can be grown in partial shade, (morning and evening sun) they don’t like too much heat/direct mid day sun. If growing in a container, water thoroughly, but let the soil dry out in between watering, they don’t like wet feet (roots). Don’t fertilise in winter.
For overseas readers, Derbyshire is in the Peak District of the UK.