Overview

Introducing the magnificent star fruit tree live plant, specifically the highly sought-after Sri Kembangan variety. This exceptional tree offers both ornamental beauty and a bountiful harvest of delicious, star-shaped fruit. Originating from Southeast Asia, the carambola, commonly known as star fruit, is a unique addition to any tropical or subtropical garden. Our Sri Kembangan star fruit tree arrives as an air-layered specimen, ensuring robust growth and earlier fruiting. Standing at a convenient 2 to 3 feet tall and shipped in a 3-gallon pot, it’s perfectly sized for immediate planting and enjoyment. The Sri Kembangan variety is renowned for its sweet, crisp, and slightly tart fruit, making it a favorite for fresh consumption, culinary uses, and refreshing beverages. Experience the joy of growing your own exotic fruit with this vibrant and productive tree.

Key Benefits

Owning a star fruit tree live plant brings numerous advantages, from its unique aesthetic to its delectable produce. This tree is not only a source of fresh, healthy fruit but also an attractive addition to your landscape.

• Prolific Fruiting: The Sri Kembangan variety is known for its abundant production of sweet and juicy star-shaped fruits, providing a continuous harvest throughout its season.
• Exotic Flavor: Enjoy the distinct sweet-citrus flavor of fresh carambola, perfect for snacks, salads, garnishes, and drinks, adding a tropical twist to your diet.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its symmetrical growth habit and glossy green foliage, this tree makes an attractive feature in any garden, patio, or large container.
• Health Benefits: Star fruit is rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, contributing to a healthy diet and overall well-being.
• Easy to Grow: This air-layered grow star fruit tree is robust and relatively low-maintenance, making it suitable for both experienced gardeners and enthusiastic beginners in appropriate climates.
• Versatile Use: The fruit can be eaten fresh, juiced, used in desserts, or as a decorative element in dishes, offering diverse culinary possibilities from your own backyard.
• Adaptable Size: At 2-3 feet tall, this tree is manageable for smaller spaces or can be grown in containers, allowing for portability and protection in cooler months.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your star fruit tree live plant thrives and produces abundant fruit, understanding its specific care requirements is essential. Carambola trees prefer tropical to subtropical climates and require consistent attention to watering, sunlight, and soil conditions. This tropical fruit tree is relatively hardy but benefits greatly from optimal cultural practices.

For sunlight, the carambola tree flourishes in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate partial shade, full sun promotes better fruiting and overall plant vigor. When it comes to watering, consistent moisture is key, especially during flowering and fruiting periods. Water deeply when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch, but ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Young trees, like this Sri Kembangan star fruit, will require more frequent watering until established. The ideal soil for a carambola fruit tree is a well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral loam (pH 5.5-6.5) rich in organic matter. Amend heavy clay soils with compost or peat moss to improve drainage and aeration. Fertilize regularly during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees, following package instructions. Protect the tree from strong winds, which can damage branches and fruit. In cooler climates, consider growing in a large container that can be moved indoors during winter.

Size & Details

This offering is for one star fruit tree live plant of the Sri Kembangan variety. The tree stands approximately 2 to 3 feet tall from the base of the pot, providing a substantial specimen ready for planting. It is shipped in a 3-gallon nursery pot, ensuring the root system is well-established and robust for transplanting. This tree is an air-layered specimen, a propagation method that promotes earlier fruiting compared to seed-grown plants. Expected growth rate is moderate, and with proper care, you can typically anticipate your first harvest within 1-2 years of planting. The Sri Kembangan variety is known to produce medium to large-sized fruits with a sweet, crisp texture. This tree is ideal for container gardening on patios, as a focal point in a tropical landscape, or as part of an edible garden. It will continue to grow, reaching a mature height of 15-20 feet if planted in the ground, but can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This star fruit tree live plant is shipped at 2-3 feet tall. When planted in the ground, it can reach a mature height of 15-20 feet, but it can be kept smaller with pruning.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The Sri Kembangan star fruit tree is shipped in a 3-gallon nursery pot, providing ample space for its root system during transit and initial growth.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11, it can also thrive indoors in a large container with sufficient light, especially in regions with colder winters.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tropical fruit tree requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production. Full sun is highly recommended.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Carambola trees are relatively easy to care for once established, provided they receive adequate sunlight, water, and proper soil conditions. They are a good choice for gardeners looking to grow star fruit tree with some basic tropical plant knowledge.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your carambola fruit tree will arrive as a healthy, air-layered plant, carefully packaged in its 3-gallon pot to ensure minimal stress during shipping.
• Q: Can I eat the fruit directly from the tree? A: Yes, star fruit is commonly eaten fresh directly from the tree when ripe. It has a sweet, refreshing flavor that is perfect for immediate consumption.
• Q: How long until it fruits? A: As an air-layered tree, this star fruit tree live plant is more mature than a seedling and can begin to bear fruit within 1-2 years of planting under ideal conditions.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: Star fruit trees are sensitive to frost. They can tolerate temperatures down to about 25-30°F (-4 to -1°C) for very short periods, but sustained cold will cause damage.
• Q: What type of soil is best for this tree? A: A well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-6.5) rich in organic matter is ideal for growing a healthy star fruit tree live plant.