Carambola

Where does Carambola grow?

Found in: Africa, Amazon, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Uganda, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yap

Notes: There are 5 Averrhoa species. It contains 29.25 mg alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) per 100 g in the leaves.

Status: Trees are moderately common in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. Types vary in their sweetness. They are sold in local and global markets.

Growing Carambola

Cultivation: Trees are grown from seed. Seeds grow easily but in fact only a small number of seeds are fertile. Well developed seeds should be chosen. Seeds are planted in a seed bed and planted out when 15-20 cm high. Because seeds are produced by cross pollination, variation is common. It is therefore better to use budding or grafting. Taking buds off good trees, or grafting twigs from them, onto 1 year old seedling roots, is the commonest method. Marcottage or air layering can also be used, although it is difficult. A spacing of 6 m x 6 m is suitable. Trees need to be grafted if sweeter kinds of fruit are to be selected. Because the seeds are covered by a fatty layer, washing them with soap improves the germination.

Edible Uses: Fruit can be eaten raw or used for drinks. They are used in curries. They can be used for souring dishes. They are also used for jams, jellies, preserves and pickles. (They are also useful for cleaning brass.) The acid flowers are eaten in salads or made into conserves. Leaves have been eaten as a substitute for sorrel. They can be eaten with coconut milk sauce. CAUTION The fruit contain soluble oxalates.

Production: Seedling trees fruit after 4-5 years. They can produce 400 fruit per tree. Flowers open after 14-21 days and fruit mature after 14-15 weeks. Trees live for a long time and some fruit is produced at most times of the year. Flowers and fruit can be found on the tree at most times, although there is often 2 or 3 main flushes of flowering and fruiting. Fruiting tends to be seasonal about March to May in the southern hemisphere. The tree does not require pruning or any special care once established. Flowers are cross pollinated by bees, flies and other insects. Hand pollination does not help fruit set much. Fruit once ripe will keep for 7-20 days but can be stored longer at 12°C.

Nutrition Info

Carambola Photos

References

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