Growing Starfruits

GROW YOUR OWN STAR FRUIT (CARAMBOLA)

The Carambola, also called Star Fruit, is a small to medium sized tree that produces a juicy tropical fruit. The flavor combines those of the apple, grape and citrus and is crisp in texture. Two kinds of star fruit are cultivated, sour and sweet. Sour varieties usually contain narrowly spaced ribs, whereas sweet varieties generally have thick, fleshy rib. The fruit can be eaten fresh and is often used in salads and as a garnish due to its unique star shape.This step-by-step will help give you the best chance of successfully planting and caring for your own star fruit tree!

Planting And Growing

• Choose a healthy star fruit tree at a greenhouse or nursery. Star fruit trees are usually grown in three-gallon containers, with the tree extending between 2 and 4 feet above the level of the soil. Avoid large starfruit trees grown in small containers, which may be root-bound.
• Carambola's are cultivated throughout many tropical and warm subtropical areas of the world.The trees can be damaged by cold weather and will not flourish. If you live in an area that has cold seasons, it may be best to grow your start fruit tree in a greenhouse or a container where you can control its environment.
• Choose the area where you will plant your star fruit tree very carefully. You need an area that will allow it to receive full sunlight, but be protected from strong winds and water-logging.
• Dig a hole for the starfruit tree. The hole should be only as deep as the root ball, but two to three times as wide.
• Place the starfruit tree in the hole, and be sure the top of the root ball is about an inch above the soil. Fill the hole with soil, tamping the soil down lightly with your foot.
• Fertilize the starfruit tree four or five times each year, using a fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Spread a 4 to 6-inch layer of organic mulch around the tree, but keep the mulch 8 to 12 inches away from the trunk. Mulch will collect moisture and heat, which can invite mildew and insects if it piles up against the trunk.
• Water the starfruit tree regularly during its first year, but don't water excessively, which can cause root rot. A weekly, deep watering is better than frequent, shallow waterings. Once the tree is established, water it regularly while it's flowering, to facilitate development of the flowers and fruits.
• The flowers appear starting in mid-summer and continue through early winter. Buds and blooms emerge from the leaf axils of new growth,or directly from the woody branches of the tree.

Harvesting And Storage

• The fruit starts to ripen in late summer and will be non-stop until mid-spring. Fruit are sweetest when allowed to ripen on the tree. It takes about 60 to 75 days from fruit set to maturity depending upon variety, cultural practices, and weather.
• The fruit is a fleshy, 4- to 5-celled berry with a waxy surface. Fruit are 2 to 6 inches (5-15 cm) in length, with 5 (rarely 4-8) prominent longitudinal ribs. 
• They are star-shaped in cross section. The fruit skin is thin, light to dark yellow, and smooth, with a waxy cuticle. The pulp is light to dark yellow in color, translucent, crisp, very juicy, and without fiber. Desirable varieties have an agreeable, sub-acid to sweet flavor. 
• Carambola fruit do not increase in sugar content after picking and so for optimum sweetness and flavor should be picked when fruit turn from green to a yellow color in the furrow between the ribs while the tips of the ribs (fins) remain green. 
• Fruit may be stored in plastic bags for up to about 21 days in the refrigerator.

Few Health Benefits Of Carambola

• Best for Colds and flu- The starfruit, due to its outstanding method of getting vitamin C, even rivalling those of citrus fruits, aids in preventing and also fight colds along with the flu.
• Starfruit Benefits For Beauty- Along with the advantages of starfruit for health, starfruit is additionally extremely helpful for beauty, that as acne medicine. Additionally, it can easily smooth the skin and also reduces skin naturally kits.
• Rich in fiber to improve digestion- High fiber content, making starfruit helpful to enhance digestion of food. Star fruit consists of insoluble soluble fiber. Insoluble soluble fiber performs a huge role in keeping the digestive system and also reduces blood cholesterol.
• Dieting and weight loss- The starfruit is a wonderful fruit to consume under any kind of weight reduction or even dieting plan. Not only is it lower in calories, it really is nice tasting and all natural, in contrast to the junk foods you receive in many diet plans.
• Protects our Heart- Star Fruit, is an excellent method of obtaining polyphenols, that are a powerful anti-oxidant that may combat cardio swelling. Star Fruit is lower in calories, loaded with potassium, fiber, as well as Vitamin A.

Starfruit Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/4 cup tropical fruit juice to replace any water called for in the recipe
• 2 tbs light brown sugar
• 2 cups starfruit, sliced into star shapes
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 3 tbs candied ginger, finely diced

Directions

• Grease bottom of 13"x9" pan and evenly  sprinkle with sugar.
• Lay starfruit in pan bottom without overlapping. Sprinkle cherries and ginger across fruit. 
• Prepare cake mix according to box directions (using a tropical fruit juice in place of water called for in the recipe).
• Pour batter into pan; bake according to box directions.
• Let cake cool in pan 20-30 minutes. 
• When cool, invert onto flat tray.