Carambola Fwang Tung Tree
Original price
$69.00
-
Original price
$69.00
Original price
$69.00
$69.00
-
$69.00
Current price
$69.00
Fwang Tung Carambola Tree: Comprehensive Growing and Care Guide
- Botanical Name and Common Names: The botanical name is Averrhoa carambola 'Fwang Tung'. Common names include Fwang Tung Starfruit, Fwang Tung Carambola, Thai Star Fruit, and simply Starfruit or Carambola (also known regionally as five corners or star pickle). The variety name “Fwang Tung” (sometimes spelled Fwangtung or Fwang Tong) refers to its Thai origin, and the fruit is instantly recognizable by its five-pointed star shape when sliced crosswise.
- Taste: Fwang Tung is prized as one of the sweetest and most flavorful carambola varieties available. The large, golden-yellow fruit has a crisp, juicy texture with a mild, refreshing sweetness and very low acidity—often described as tasting like a sweet melon, grape, plum, or nectarine. It has fewer seeds than many other types, stays crisp even when fully ripe, and can be eaten fresh while still slightly green because the flavor remains pleasant and balanced rather than overly tart.
- Best Growing Environment: This variety thrives in warm, humid tropical and subtropical climates with protection from strong winds and poor drainage. It performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 4.5–7.0) enriched with organic matter, and it loves consistent rainfall or irrigation combined with high humidity. Fwang Tung is an excellent choice for home orchards in Florida and similar regions where summers are hot and long.
- Average Height, Growth Rate, Sun Requirements, and USDA Zone: Mature trees typically reach an average height of 20–30 feet (up to 35 feet in ideal conditions) with a spreading canopy 20–25 feet wide. Growth rate is moderate to fast once established, especially in warm weather, with trees often producing fruit within 2–4 years of planting. Full sun is ideal for the heaviest crops and sweetest fruit, although the tree tolerates light shade or filtered sun. It is best suited to USDA hardiness zones 9–11 (thriving in 10–11 and succeeding in protected zone 9b microclimates such as central/south Florida).
- Cold Hardiness: Fwang Tung is moderately sensitive to cold. Young trees can suffer damage or die at temperatures below 29–32F, while established mature trees tolerate brief dips to about 26F with possible leaf and branch burn. Frost protection (such as covering or micro-sprinklers) is strongly recommended during winter, especially when the tree is flowering or setting fruit.
- Water Requirements: Consistent moisture is essential, especially during establishment and dry spells. Provide deep, regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy—excellent drainage prevents root rot. Once mature, the tree has moderate drought tolerance but produces larger, sweeter fruit with supplemental irrigation during extended dry periods or hot weather. Container-grown trees may need watering several times per week in summer.
- Planting Guide: Choose a sunny, wind-protected site with good drainage. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, and amend native soil with generous organic compost or planting mix (especially in sandy or heavy soils). Set the tree at the same depth it was in its nursery container, backfill firmly, water thoroughly to settle the soil, and apply a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the base (keeping it away from the trunk). Space trees 20–30 feet apart. The best planting window in warm climates is spring through early summer so the tree can establish before winter.
- Fertilizing Schedule and Recommended Fertilizer: Young trees need light, frequent feeding—¼ to ½ pound of a balanced fertilizer (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium) every 30–60 days during the growing season. Mature trees require 1–5 pounds per application, given 4–6 times per year. Recommended formulations are citrus or tropical-fruit blends with approximately 6–8% nitrogen, 2–4% phosphoric acid, 6–8% potash, and 3–4% magnesium (examples include 8-3-9 or 10-10-10 slow-release products). Apply mainly in spring (March), late spring/early summer (May–June), summer (July–August), and early fall (September). In alkaline soils, supplement with 3–6 foliar sprays per year of micronutrients (iron, zinc, manganese) to prevent deficiencies. Avoid heavy fertilizing in winter when growth slows.