Star Fruit 'Arkin' (Averrhoa carambola)
Arkin Star Fruit (Averrhoa carambola) is a hybrid product of stock-market discipline and tropical-fruit enthusiasm. This Carambola variety was hybridized by Morris Arkin, a Washington, D.C. native stockbroker who retired into the fruitful world of horticulture. In reaping the benefits of homegrown life, the Arkin Star Fruit was born.
Averrhoa carambola is an evergreen tropical shrub with woody, drooping branches. It makes a great ornamental addition to a home landscape, ticking all of the boxes for a plant that’s useful and good looking. Compared to other Carambola fruit trees, this star fruit variety is praised for being easy to grow, and producing tasty, abundant crops. Some gardeners prefer to use extra soil nutrients that make fruit sweeter when it’s time to harvest them.
In a tropical to subtropical climate, you can reap the rewards of star fruit trees year-round, when exotic purple flowers give way to the 5-sided star fruits. Carambola fruits are in their prime when they ripen on the tree to a yellow-orange color. Enjoy this sweet star fruit variety fresh, in combination with other fruits and desserts, or as a garnish for tropical-themed dishes.
Plant Type:
Tropical / Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Winter, Spring, Year-round
Star fruit and Bilimbi will bloom and fruit throughout most of the year, but will prominently flower from late Spring to Fall and fruit Winter through Spring.
Mature Size:
7-30 ft
Soil & Moisture:
Well-drained, high fertility and good moisture-holding capacity; High nitrogen demands. Regular watering throughout the first year and throughout flowering and fruiting season.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Prefers part shade or filtered light but will thrive in a variety of light conditions from full sun to shade.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Star Fruit and Bilimbi are both easy to grow in a container and can thrive in a large pot. In the colder months, until well-established, Star Fruit and Bilimbi trees may lose their leaves, so they could be overwintered indoors if temperatures reach below freezing. Prune trees in late winter.
Propagation:
Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of harvest within 1-2 years.
X-Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of harvest within 1 year.
See More:
Sow Exotic offers many different unique varieties of Star Fruit!
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