Page 309 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

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caRambola (AverrhoA CArAmbolA l.) pRoduction

small stems may also induce flowering. Off-season bloom induction and fruit production via
crop removal is also possible. Removing the fruit from the tree (when the fruit 50% or less full

size) results in off season flowering and fruit production. Removing fruit during late fall results

in more vigorous trees during the winter and earlier spring flowering and earlier summer fruit

production.

Carambola propagation

Commonly carambola are grafted (veneer, cleft, whip) or budded (chip) onto seedling roots-

tock. Favored seedling rootstock comes from open pollinated ‘Golden Star’ and M-18960

fruit. Air-layering (marcottage) and tissue culture have not proved successful at this time due

to poor root development.

Cultivars

Florida grows predominantly ‘Arkin’ with minor production of ‘Kary’ and ‘B-10’. Taiwan and

Malaysia grow primarily ‘B-10’ and ‘B-17’. The percent fruit set ranges from 0.5-16%. Total

soluble solids ranges from 6-20%. Fruit maturity is determined by yellow color break between

fruit ribs.

Selected characteristics of carambola cultivars

‘Arkin’

• Origin: Florida
• Medium size (7.6-12.7 cm long) and broad ribs

• Yellow to orange color

• Sweet (4-8oBrix) with good flavor

• Recommended for commercial planting

Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas