Growing Star Fruit In Backyard - Containers

Introduction to Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Here, today in this article we are going to discuss growing Star Fruit in the backyard.

Topics going to cover in this article;

Introduction to Star Fruit.
Benefits of Star Fruit.
Plant Star Fruit trees.
When to plant Star Fruit?
Where to plant Star Fruit?
How to plant Star Fruit?
Growing Star Fruit from seeds in containers.
Soil conditions for growing Star Fruit.
Sun and temperature to be maintained.
Propagation of Star Fruit.
Water and humidity of Star Fruit.
Pruning of Star Fruit in Backyard.
Growing Problems of Star Fruit in Backyard.
Fertilizing.
Pests and Management of Star Fruit.
Diseases and Management of Star Fruit.
Harvesting of Star Fruit in Backyard.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Growing Star Fruit in Backyard, Containers at Home

Star Fruit, also referred to as Carambola, is that the fruit of Averrhoa carambola.

The Star Fruit tree is generally multi-branched, with dark green bushes. It can grow up to 20 to 30 feet in height and 20 to 25 feet wide, but to harvest them easily maintain the tree in a smaller size. It produces bell-shaped small flowers with five petals; along with the petals they have purple streaks. The season of Star Fruit is long; with harvestable fruit appear from June. When you cut the fruit in cross-sections, it appears in the form of a star. Hence, the name came as Star Fruit. A mature tree can produce 200 to 400 pounds of fruits every year. The Star Fruit is very pulpy with a grape-like texture.

The two categories of Star Fruits are; sweet, or tart. The sweet one is used in jams, desserts, and jellies and the tart one is used as a garnish.

carambola 2362540 1920 — **Guide to Growing Star Fruit in Backyard** (Pic Source: Pixabay)

Benefits of Star Fruit

Star Fruit has many health benefits. The Star Fruit is rich in vitamin C, B9, B6, B2, and fiber. It also contains many minerals, such as zinc, phosphorus, potassium.

Plant Star Fruit Trees

Planting Star Fruit in your backyard can be a lot of fun and you can even have delicious fruits.

But planting in the right way is important. So, here are some tips for growing Star Fruit in the backyard.

When To Plant Star Fruit?

As it is a tropical plant, the Star Fruit tree should be planted in locations where frost isn’t likely. Having said that, it’s still knowing plant this tree within the early spring to make sure it’s time to settle in before the recent months.

If starting with a seed, they require warm soil to germinate. To ensure good germination be sure that you’re using a seedling heating mat at a temperature of 70 degrees. You need to plant in a young tree container before repotting in soil.

Where to Plant Star Fruit?

Full sun is important for a Star Fruit growth. Make sure your Star Fruit receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day, and it should be sheltered from cold climates, winds, or in alkaline soils. Your tree should be 20 to 30 feet away from other trees. This reduces your tree from getting too much shade. Similarly, a tree grown in containers got to be far away from other trees to enable good growth.

How to Plant Star Fruit?

Once Your Plant Is Grown Roughly 2-4 Feet In Height And Has Sized Up To At Least A 3- Gallon container, it’s time to plant in the soil. Prepare your soil beforehand by loosening it up within the area where the roots will grow. Do not apply compost, fertilizer to the soil. Make sure that if there are large rocks that they have been removed, and the soil is well-drained. Plant the same depth the tree was planted in its container, but not deeper.

Growing Star Fruit in Backyard from Seeds in Container

Each Star Fruit has a maximum of 10 to 12 seed, which are slender and light brown and ¼ to ½ inch long. First, buy a few ripe star-fruits from a grocery store nearby you. Then, carefully cut the fruit take care not to cut seeds. Remove all the seeds from it. Put some seed starter soil and in cups and wet it with warm water. Then plant them in the container.

Soil Conditions for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Star Fruits do very well in a wide variety of soil textures. As long because the soil drains off excess moisture, it should be fine to plant your tree in. A well-drained, loamy, and rich in organic matter is suitable. Slightly acid liking, to grow Star Fruit you will need am acidic to neutral pH range. If there is a more alkaline pH level, they are susceptible to nutrient deficiencies. For better growth aim pH for a range between 4.5 and 7.

Sun and Temperature Requirement for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Star Fruit plants mostly prefer full sun conditions. It also prefers a hot and humid environment and is prone to frost damage. The temperature under 35 degrees get steadily more dangerous and temperature below 25degrees can cause tree death.

In case if you miss this: Organic Dragon Fruit Farming.

Propagation of Star Fruit for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Propagating of Star Fruit can be done in three methods. They are as follows;

Propagating from seeds for growing star fruit in backyard

Star Fruit seeds lose their viability quickly. They need to be harvested from the fruit once they are plump and mature and then planted within a couple of days. Seed germination ranges from one week within the summer to two or more weeks during the winter months. Start the Star Fruit seeds in damp peat moss. Once sprouted, the seedlings are often transplanted into pots employing a sandy loam soil. Attention towards their care will help ensure their survival. Seed propagation can produce variable results. Although this is often not the well-liked method of Star Fruit propagation for commercial orchards, it is often a fun way for home gardeners to grow a tree from store-bought fruit.

Propagating from cuttings for growing star fruit in backyard

For cuttings, get an existing Star Fruit tree, cut off branches that have buds. Ensure to cut the stems are at an angle, put them in a rooting hormone, and then into well-prepared polythene cover with potting soil. Be sure of watering the cuttings and roots will.

Propagating with air layering for growing star fruit in backyard

This method of vegetative propagation is best if you have already got a Star Fruit tree that you’d wish to clone. It involves wounding one among the tree branches and inspiring it to root. Air layering is often difficult because of the Star Fruit’s slow root production. Begin by choosing a branch that is a minimum of 2 feet (60 cm.) long. From the branches, the tip makes two parallel cuts around the branch between 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm.). The cuts should be nearly 1 to 1 ½ inch (2.5 to 3 cm.) apart. Remove the ring of bark and cambium (the layer between the bark and therefore the wood) from the branch. If desired, a rooting hormone is often applied to the wound. Cover the entire area with a moist ball of peat moss. Use a bit of sheet plastic to wrap it tightly. Secure both ends with electrical tape. Cover the plastic with aluminum foil to retain moisture and exclude light. It can take one to 3 months for an abundance of roots to develop. When the branch of Star Fruit is well-rooted, cut it under the new two roots. Carefully remove the wrap and plant the new tree in sandy loam soil. The new tree is going to be in a vulnerable state until it’s well-rooted. During this era, keep the soil evenly moist and protect the young tree from direct sunlight and wind.

Watering and Humidity Requirement for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

It is not a drought-tolerant species; your Star Fruit will need regular watering. Keep the soil moist, but not over-saturated, in the least times. Aim for 1-2 deep watering per week if there hasn’t been raining. Reduce watering within the winter months when it’s unnecessary. A soaker hose around the tree is often wont to do a slow, deep watering but base your placement on a hoop that’s at about the midpoint of the tree’s canopy all the way around. Your tree can tolerate flooded conditions for between 2-10 days, counting on its current health, but will begin to suffer from lack of oxygen around its roots. It’s better to avoid flooding for this species, but if it can’t be avoided, it won’t immediately suffer damage.

Humid environments are great for this species. However, await any symptoms of plant diseases that are common in humid locations. Once your tree is 1-2 years old, consistent irrigation is vital from flowering through fruiting. Confirm it’s the water it must produce much fruit

Pruning Requirement for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

star fruit 1612430 1920 — **Pruning Requirement for Growing Star Fruit** (Pic Source: Pixabay)

In the first 1-2 years after planting the Star Fruit, tip trimming branches more than 3 feet long will encourage lateral growth of the tree. This could be done during the winter while the tree is dormant. Mature trees are often trimmed to take care of them at 6-12 feet tall for simple harvest. Each year, it’s also good to look at the tree closely and confirm there aren’t any inward-growing branches. Selective pruning at the crotch of the branch to get rid of a few inward-growing branches will improve airflow and lightweight to the remainder of the cover.

Problems in Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Soil above a pH level of seven can cause your home-grown Star Fruit to suffer from nutrient deficiencies. An iron deficiency on the plant can cause yellowed leaves with smaller-sized leaves or green veins. Manganese deficiencies may result in reduced leaf size and yellow leaves. Magnesium deficiencies produce mottled yellow and green leaves. Treat with the acceptable micronutrient if these appear.

Besides, while mature trees can handle cold temperatures for brief periods of your time, it comes with varying stages of potential damage. At temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, Star Fruit production stops. At temperatures of 30-32 degrees, young leaves can die out. Young trees, mature leaves, and young branches are often killed at temperatures between 25-29 degrees. Temperatures 24 degrees and below can kill mature trees.

Fertilizer Requirement for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Star Fruit trees are moderately-high feeders. Mature trees should be fertilized 4-6 times per annum and young trees every 30-60 days throughout the season. Aim for a 6-2-6 or 6-4-6 fertilizer range when possible, preferably one that has micronutrients like manganese, iron, zinc, and magnesium. If your tree is in alkaline soil, it’s going to suffer from nutrient deficiencies. These should receive foliar sprays 4-6 times a year that contains manganese, iron, and zinc.

Pests and Management for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Three different types of scale insects are common pests for Star Fruit. Plumose scales (Morganella longispina) and philaphedra scales (Philephedra tuberculosa) attack twigs and leaves of the plant. Brown scales (Coccus hesperidum) attack the fruit directly. Regular spraying of horticultural oil will reduce the looks of those.

Two sorts of weevils stop by, too. The diaprepes weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus) causes damage to roots and may cause root and shoot dieback. A fruit weevil called Myctides imberbis also can appear sometimes, consuming the delicious Star Fruit. These are both treatable with pyrethrin.

Stink bugs and squash bugs both can create small holes within the fruit which will then admit fungal or bacterial pathogens, causing the fruit to rot. Insecticidal soap is effective against stink bugs. For squash bugs, pyrethrin may be a better bet, and it’s effective against stink bugs also.

At least one quite thrips, red-banded thrips, attack the flowers and fruit also. Treat with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil to affect these pests.

Diseases and Management for Growing Star Fruit in Backyard

Assortments of fungal leaf spot diseases are common on Star Fruit. Cercospora Averrhoa, Corynespora cassiicola, Gloesporium sp., Phyllosticta sp., and Phomopsis sp. These are all fungal disease that causes these things. While typically not very dangerous to your tree, they are doing provide the warning that your tree is suffering some kind of stress. This might be nutritional deficiencies or stress thanks to the climate. No control is important, only determining the explanation for the strain and easing it.

Algal rust is caused by Cephaleuros virescens. This type of rust causes rough grey or red circular patches on the bark and may end in twig dieback. If you think your tree is experiencing algal rust, contact your local agricultural extension to verify and to supply information on treatment options.

Anthracnose fruit rot isn’t uncommon, but you’ll usually see anthracnose leaf spotting first. Treatment of the leaves should prevent the spread to the fruit and stop a risk to your tree’s fruit production. To treat, use either a bio fungicide that contains Bacillus subtilis or uses a copper fungicide spray. Once the fruit is infected, eliminate the damaged fruit.

Finally, plant disease caused by Pythium fungi can occur in overly-wet soil conditions. Confirm the soil around your tree readily drains off excess moisture. Some soil mycorrhizae are showing signs of helping protect plants against fungal plant disease, but there’s no cure once the Star Fruit tree is already infected, so prevention is important.

Harvesting of Star Fruits

Star Fruit doesn’t ripen once it’s harvested. When the grooves within the edges of the fruit are completely yellow, and only the very upper tips of the raised sections are still green, then it’s time to start harvesting. You’ll await the upper tips to show yellow also, but it won’t have as long of a storage life if you are doing.

Growing Star Fruit In Backyard – Containers

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