Starfruit Carambola - Honeyed Iron Star

Starfruit Carambola (Averrhoa carambola)

Super rare variety!

First time in NZ!! Our variety came directly from our own orchard in Malaysia and is called Honeyed Star. They offer an extra-large fruit with a juicy sweet taste similar to a sweet tangy pineapple juice. Honeyed Star is also self-fertile so you only need one plant to fruit.

One thing you can't fail to notice about the carambola: it is star shaped. Which accounts for its other name of star fruit. And it's a star anyway thanks to its lovely taste. The green to yellow skin hides a colourless, transparent flesh that is bursting with flavour: deliciously fresh and mildly sweet. The skin is edible.

We know exactly where you can find the best carambolas: in Malaysia!! They are larger than varieties grown elsewhere in the world. When you harvest your carambola, don't worry about the sour aroma. The fruit will continue to ripen naturally in the fruit bowl.

Plant Care

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, loamy or sandy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. More frequent watering may be necessary in dry conditions.
• Temperature: Ideal temperatures are between 20°C and 30°C. Protect from temperatures below 4°C.
• Light: Requires full sun for best fruit production.
• Fertilising: Use a fruit tree fertilizer with a ratio such as 8-3-9, applied every three months during the growing season. Ensure it includes micronutrients like magnesium and zinc.
• Pruning: Prune to maintain structure, remove dead or diseased wood, and to encourage air circulation.
• Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and reduce temperature fluctuations.
• Pest Control: Watch for pests like fruit flies and caterpillars. Employ appropriate organic pest control methods.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Produces clusters of pink to lavender flowers, followed by oblong, ribbed fruits. The fruit typically matures within 60 to 75 days after flowering.
• Potting: Suitable for container growth if given a large enough pot to accommodate its root system.
• Feeding Regime: High potassium and low nitrogen levels during the flowering and fruiting stages can enhance fruit quality and yield.