Page 305 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

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caRambola (AverrhoA CArAmbolA l.) pRoduction

needing it to set commercially acceptable crops. ‘Arkin’, ‘Golden Star’ and ‘Kary’ do not need
cross pollination; B-10, B-17 do. Production of parthenocarpic fruit is possible naturally or by

application of GA+auxin (Promalin®).

In subtropical areas carambola trees have two major blooming periods – spring and early

fall and fruiting seasons– summer and winter. In warm subtropical and tropical areas caram-

bola may have 3 or more crops per year (e.g., 7 in Taiwan). Fruit may be picked when they

turn light to medium-yellow to dark yellow in color. Fruit become sweeter as color becomes

darker, however, best flavor is at the medium-yellow stage of development.

Adaptability

Carambola trees are best adapted to hot, humid, tropical climates but do well in warm sub-

tropical areas (like Florida and Taiwan). Trees grow rapidly and best fruit quality is produced

in locations protected from strong winds. Trees are well adapted to many well-drained soil

types (e.g., sands, crushed limestone, muck). However, are moderately susceptible to damage

when flooded. Moderately acid to neutral soil pH is best.
Carambola trees grow and fruit best at ambient temperatures above 18°C and below

43°C. At cool and excessively hot temperatures growth and production decrease. Carambola

trees grow best at soil temperatures from 20°C to 30°C. Mulching improves plant growth and

production during cool/cold periods during the winter. In subtropical areas carambola may

bloom only 2 times per year. In warm subtropical and tropical areas carambola may bloom 3

or more times per year.

Optimum climatic adaptations include shoot growth at 20-35oC and root growth at 20-
30°C. Trees have the potential to grow vegetatively and reproductively all year round. Flower

induction is possible all year round however low temperatures (<20°C) appear to preclude fruit

set. Optimum temperatures during flowering for fruit set appears to be greater than ~18°C).

Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas