Carambola starfruit is a star-shaped fruit and known to be a species of tree originating from tropical Southeast Asia. The fruit is a source of phenolic antioxidants that is very good for health. Many people are interested in growing the tree to get the benefits of the fruit. If you are one of them, here is the planting guide that you should know.
Guide to Plant Carambola Starfruit in Your Garden
Learn about the Varieties
No matter if you want to plant carambola starfruits through seeds or by grafting, you should learn about their varieties. Basically, there are two primary types of starfruits consisting of smaller and sour ones and larger and sweeter ones. It depends on your preference about which varieties you are going to grow.
For the sour but smaller ones, the common varieties include Demak, Maha, Ma Fueng, Arkin, and Yang Tao. Meanwhile for the sweeter and larger ones, the common varieties are Thayer, Newcomb, Golden Star, and Star King. All the sweeter ones come from Florida.Decide When and Where to Plant
If you want to plant carambola starfruits, you need to know when the ideal time is. You can plant them year-round if you live in tropical regions. But when you live in four-season regions, especially in colder ones, summer is the best time.
After knowing about the ideal time for planting, you should select the right site to start growing them. Choose the site that allows the plant to get full sunlight. Make sure the plant is in the area with warm temperatures. You should find a place that is away from any other buildings, trees, power lines, and structures.
Carambola starfruit planting guide recommends you to keep the plant in warm and hot temperatures. It is because they are tropical trees, so go for 68-95 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperatures are below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a risk that the growth will slow down. And your tree might be killed if you let them freeze, especially in the cold season.Choose the Right Soil
The site you choose to grow carambola starfruits also should have well-drained soil. It is recommended to use clay loam soil because it is waterlogging-tolerant. The pH of soil will be better if 5.5 to 6.5.Water and Fertilize Properly
The clay loam soil is not drought-tolerant, so you need to water about an inch of water every other day. Make sure the soil does not dry out, so water every day if you grow it in a pot. Even though the plant is waterlogging-tolerant, it is sensitive to overwatering.
You can also fertilize the tree if the soil is low in fertility. Fertilizers containing magnesium, zinc, iron, and manganese are more recommended. Fertilization should be done 4-5 times a year, especially during the growing season.Prune Rarely
Pruning is less required when you grow carambola starfruits. However, make sure to keep pruning your trees rarely in order to prevent diseases and other problems. Pruning is recommended for the tree to be less than 10 inches tall if you want to keep them small.
Carambola starfruit is quite easy to grow, but you must protect the plant from cold temperatures. The harvest time comes when the fruit is perfectly ripe. The ripeness is characterized by its bright yellow color or dark brown along the five ridges.