{"product_id":"arkin-star-fruit-carambola-tree","title":"Arkin Star Fruit Tree (Carambola)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArkin Star Fruit Tree (Carambola)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBring a taste of the tropics to your backyard with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArkin Star Fruit Tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a Florida selection valued for its sweet flavor and attractive golden fruit. Slice a ripe carambola crosswise and its familiar star shape turns a simple fruit plate into something special.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor a Caribbean-inspired garden or backyard food forest, Arkin offers another delicious reason to step outside and harvest something fresh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit Taste \u0026amp; Appearance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArkin produces \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emedium-to-large, sweet star fruit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with yellow to deep golden skin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flesh is crisp and juicy, with a refreshing sweetness and light tartness. Enjoy washed, ripe fruit fresh, sliced into salads, or as an attractive garnish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAllow fruit to develop its yellow color on the tree for better sweetness. Carambola does not gain additional sugar after picking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTree Size \u0026amp; Pollination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarambola can become a substantial tree if left unpruned. Selective pruning can maintain a manageable canopy of approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6–12 feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArkin generally produces well without requiring a second carambola variety. Flowering conditions and pollinator activity still influence fruit set.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArkin Carambola Tree Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Well-drained soil that retains adequate moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Water during establishment and dry periods, especially between flowering and harvest. Carambola has limited drought tolerance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMulching:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mulch the root zone while keeping mulch away from the trunk.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Use a suitable fruit-tree fertilizer according to label directions and soil conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePruning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Selectively manage height while preserving productive lower branches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWind protection:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Choose a sheltered location.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold protection:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Protect young trees from frost and freezing weather.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowing Arkin in Palm Bay, Florida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose a warm, protected microclimate with space for the canopy and access to irrigation. Winter cold can damage carambola, so protection is particularly important while the tree is young.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid sites exposed to persistent strong winds or salt spray.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvest Season \u0026amp; Your Harvest Planner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneral Florida harvest window: June–February.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon production peaks occur during \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAugust–September\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecember–February\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, although timing varies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese are general Florida carambola observations rather than a guaranteed Arkin schedule for every property. Palm Bay temperatures, pruning, tree maturity, and weather can shift your harvest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse this window to compare Arkin with your other fruit trees, then record actual harvest dates in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy Food Forest\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlan your harvest before you plant.™\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant Food Safety Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeople with kidney disease should avoid star fruit and star-fruit juice because they can cause serious harmful effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat You Will Receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne live Arkin carambola tree in your selected size. Height and branching vary naturally. Fruit images illustrate the variety; fruit is not guaranteed on arrival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow what you eat. Eat what you grow.™\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuick growing information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 99.9576%;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInformation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotanical name\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAverrhoa carambola\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ‘Arkin’\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCultivar origin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlorida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedium–large; sweet; yellow to golden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull sun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConsistent moisture with good drainage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManaged height\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 6–12 feet with pruning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePollination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsually crops without a second variety\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold tolerance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrost sensitive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneral Florida harvest\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune–February\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 22.109%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanner months\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 77.6803%;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAre carambola and star fruit the same fruit?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. Carambola is commonly called star fruit because its crosswise slices resemble stars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs Arkin a sweet variety?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. Arkin is classified as a sweet carambola cultivar, with refreshing, juicy flesh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDo I need two Arkin trees?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA second variety is generally unnecessary for Arkin to produce fruit, although growing conditions affect production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen should I pick star fruit?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePick when the fruit has turned yellow between the ridges; some green may remain along the ridge tips. Picking too early reduces sweetness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCan Arkin grow in Central Florida?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt can grow in protected locations, but winter cold is a significant consideration. Provide a sheltered site and cold protection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCan I keep the tree smaller?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. Selective pruning can maintain a manageable canopy and make harvesting easier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Island Gardeners","offers":[{"title":"3 Gal","offer_id":48319819677885,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7 Gal","offer_id":48319819710653,"sku":null,"price":129.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"15 Gal","offer_id":48319819743421,"sku":null,"price":180.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Gal","offer_id":48319819776189,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2801\/5293\/files\/image_987ec19a-2c27-4f08-b48e-ef54a6b519be.webp?v=1789128105","url":"https:\/\/theislandgardeners.com\/products\/arkin-star-fruit-carambola-tree","provider":"The Island Gardeners","version":"1.0","type":"link"}