I don't have a clue (whats new) But you have to keep us updated on how it does!

OOOOO, it sooo good! Tart, slightly sweet, and makes you salivate like there's no tomorrow. Sort of a "super-sour gummy bear" for the garden set. Great in puches, lemonade and sliced in salads. Held in the mouth, makes for a great way to keep hydrated while working in the garden. Also, a decorative tree with reddish blossoms. AND, it makes a beautiful garnish. Medium to low growing, with a rounded crown. Ive heard of others who grow it here in the valley...

Here is a link that might be useful: CRFG carambola

LOL, I remember trying one once - reminds me of the time I tried a saladito, popped it into my mouth whole and started chewing - YOW!

Good luck, we expect to see pictures of those blooms on your tree...

And hope they look like this-

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:416869}}

LOL. Yes, theyre really pretty arent they? Well, give me some time, Im very excited as it is!

Hi DesertDreamer,
I'm envious, I've wanted a carambola for a long time. The starfruit from the grocery store is too tart for my taste, but when ripened on the tree and eaten fresh, they taste great.

Where did you get it from and do you know what variety it is?

I got it from a place that Im not allowed to mention out of florida. Theyre really "tops". I believe that its Arkin, but I need to ask to confirm that. Darn good looking tree!

Thanks for letting me know which variety it is. Arkin is very, very good when picked ripe from the tree.

I know the Top source you might have received it from. They have a great selection of plants and I would like to have just about all of them (if my wallet and my yard was much larger).

There is a carambola growing in the demonostration garden at the Maricopa County Extension. You might be able to get some advice from the AZRFG people if you stopped by on a Saturday morning.

I tried to bring a carambola and an avocado in from Dominica with a phyto cert, but Customs confiscated and detroyed the plants. :(

Hmmmm, perhaps I could trade you something from one of the other places that can't be mentioned, in exchange for an airlayer from the carambola, at some time in the future!

I wish you the best with it, I'd be excited too!

Will gladly do some trading come springtime. Ive also got a Keitt mango on the way from the same source. Ive got some people who will be trading nam doc mi and a ??? (Ive forgotten the other variety) for some budwood from the Keitt. Ill begin doing air layers as soon as it warms up and the carambola can get roots established in its permanent location. Yup, Im sure some people from the AZRFG will have some advice, and maybe want to do some horse trading...Im a member, great group. Dont hesitate to remind me when the time comes, Im terribly forgetful. Isnt it strange what gets us excited as we grow older....

Wow- now I want one! I never had one that had enough flavor to be called sweet or tart or anything (kinda like the blood oranges you get at the grocery- a weak shadow of the real taste).
That's the thing about fruit- the more exotic, rare, and non-native, the more I want to grow them.

DesertDreamer - Springtime trading sounds good. Please let me know what else you are looking for, either by filling out your trade list, or by sending me a private message. Perhaps we can talk at an AZRFG meeting. I'll get to work on getting something equitable growing.

I've got a Manilla Mango and a grocery mango that I picked up this summer and I would like to get a Keit as well. I've just sprouted a grocery store mango from the largest fruit I've ever seen. It was over 3lbs.

EileenAZ - From what I understand, unlike many common fruits, starfruit cannot increase in sugar content after picking. If they are picked a few weeks early to accommodate the shipping time, the taste won't improve even though the fruit ripens in color. I've even had store bought fruit that tasted like turpentine. There's probably a bigger difference in taste than there is with blood oranges.

My desire to taste delicious and unusual fruits has been the driving force behind most of the plants I'm growing. It is a bit of a challenge to grow them here though.

Hello DesertDreamer! I came across this post in a search. I'm interested in growing Starfruit in Phoenix, and I'm curious how yours is doing?

PhoenixRyan

How much sun exposure should they get?