How to grow STAR FRUIT in Uganda

The carambola aka star fruit is a geometrically stunning, tender sweet fruit that comes from the Averrhoa carambola plant.
The tree is native to the Asian continent; however it’s also grown through the non indigenous tropical areas.
Its fruit has a distinctive ridge running down its sides. Trust me it makes good juice when blended ripe.

Common Star fruit varieties in Uganda

There are many varieties of star fruit and their diversity is a novelty in its self.
In general there two types of star fruits the sweet and the sour ones (e.g. King, Bell, Arkin, Fwang Tung) to mention.

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How to propagate star fruit in Africa

The star fruit propagation is similar to most woody tropical plants, in that they can be effectively propagated by seeds, cloned or by cuttings.
However cutting and air layering is the most ideal approach.

Star fruit Soil requirements

They do thrive in a variety of soil types but do best in well drained, loamy soils rich in organic matter.

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How to plant star fruit in Uganda

Planting can be done in three ways:

You can use seeds, here the key point is to keep the seeds moist and warm. Then sow the seeds about 1-2 cm deep into the soil.
Alternatively you may place the seeds in a moist paper towel in a plastic bag and place them in a warm dark place. In optimal conditions seeds may germinate in a week.

For cuttings, get an existing star fruit tree, cut off branches which have buds. Ensure to cut the stems are at an angle, place them in a rooting hormone and then into well prepared polythene packs with potting soil. Ensure to water the cuttings. Roots will establish after several weeks.

Alternatively you can air layer the branches of trees- this involves thinly debarking 3-4 cm of the lateral branches to expose the inner layer, after clean the scraped area and then smear a rooting hormone on to the exposed part, place a ball of moist soil and wrap in a transparent polythene sheet.
Secure tightly with a string at both ends of the wrap. After several weeks the roots will form underneath the soil ball. Cut off the rooted branch from the mother tree at 3-4 cm below the wrap, then transplant in to polythene bag for further hardening and growth.

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How to Harvest star fruit in Afria

After 3 years of planting carambola blooms for the first time, and flowers take about 2 months to become fruits.
It’s a green yellow fruit about 12 cm long and usually has 5 longitudinal ribs.
A ripe star fruit can be recognized by its yellow to orange flesh.
It’s juicy and sweet with a high content of oxalic acid, its rich in vitamin A and C.

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Quick tips for planting a carambola tree in Uganda

• Dig a hole twice as wide but no deeper than the root ball of the seedling.


• Set the tree in the hole and backfill the soil around the root ball.


• Water the tree when the rain is not adequate.


• Apply a layer of organic mulch layer to help retain water.


• Fertilizer the tree if you find it necessary.


• Remove tips of new shoot on the side branches 1-2 years after transplanting to promote branching.


• Harvest fruit after 2-3 years of transplanting.

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