Starfruit Tree

rich985 · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

Does anyone have a starfruit tree growing well in their gardens? I plan to buy one next spring from Tropicamango Exotic Fruit Tree Nursery in south phoenix.

How well does the tree grow in phoenix? Does it need full sun, or will it fruit in eastern exposure? Also, does it do okay in the winter?

phoenixtropicals · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:

I have had no success with starfruit here. The only one I tried was a seedling that a friend gave to me. First I tried planting it in full sun and it almost died from the heat in the summer. The leaves got very burned. So, I transplanted it to a shady location and it lived but never really seemed to grow. It looked reasonably healthy for 2 years but never seemed to get any bigger. Finally, in the hard freeze we had in January 2007 it died. However, there are some people in the AZCRFG fruit club that claim to have had success with starfruit. Maybe they are growing them in pots. I'm not sure.

If anyone successfully growing starfruit in Phoenix runs into this post, let us know how you do it, and provide pictures of your plant with fruit on it. We need proof! Wink

saul4paz · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Mesa AZ

I curently have a starfruit in a pot and is growing like crazy. Yes the AZRFG have people that have gotin them to fruit. From what i know they can do quit well in a continer with moring sun and with protection from freeze's when its young. Maybe when its bigger you can put it in an perfect spot in the ground. Smile

rich985 · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

How large is your starfruit tree saul? Also phoenixtropicals, how large was your seedling when it was killed by the frost?

phoenixtropicals

About a foot tall.

saul4paz · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Mesa AZ

Its was a foot tall, when I got it. But i hit it with some superthive and It doubled. the last one i tride looked bad when i got it and never recoverd Ive talk to this guy at whitfield that saids he has a 10ft. one in a large pot, he said they do great in pots like a lantana or something. Plus seen a big one at the tropicalmango place too last year with fruit. It can't be any harder then pinneapples, or plumeria. The internet just has limited info on the plant, I think, other then the CRFG. Hort. Laughing

The leaves smell weird at night. Ive also seen the leaves for sale at lee lee's, maybe for some tea?

This tree naturaly looks like a BONSI Surprised

saul4paz · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Mesa AZ

Small 3ft Star fruit; Superthive works got it 2months ago, then it doubled. Smile

saul4paz · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Mesa AZ

I think ive been tricked; This looks like a Curry plant not like a Carambola starfruit, Im going to contact my ebay guy because i think he gave me the wrong plant!

I Confused

dont like curry, And Im pritty sure this is one, It smells alot at night.

Well Im sorry everyone for bad info for starfruit, I guess that what you need for Curry plant.

Anyone need a curry plant Shocked

phoenixtropicals · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject:

Curry plants do look like star fruits. They grow very well here. When you grind up the leaves they have a super strong odor. For me it smells like gasoline, but a lot of people like it for food. Especially people from India.