Page 313 - FRUTAS DEL TRÓPICO

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caRambola (AverrhoA CArAmbolA l.) pRoduction

Carambola follows Troll’s Growth Model in which several to many leaders which are initially
upright but after fruiting become oriented laterally and downward. New upright shoot deve-

lop along the laterally oriented branches. After these bear fruit, they become laterally oriented

themselves. This growth habit results in overlapping branches and a spreading growth pattern.

The result of this growth habit is the interior canopy becomes shaded and defoliates, forming

a nonproductive, ever-enlarging, empty, parabola-shaped space.

Tree training and tree size control

There are many reasons for tree size control including maintenance of light levels and the

lower productive canopy, improving crop production, increasing air movement which reduces

disease incidence and the potential for wind damage.

Training of young trees is not common in some production areas (e.g., Florida, Brazil) and

common in others (e.g., Hainan, Taiwan, Malaysia). However, heading back to force lateral

development and removal of misplaced and V-crotched limbs will reduce problems later.
In general, the warmer the climate the more vigorous tree growth is. The wider the spa-

cing the longer it takes to require regular pruning. Conversely, the closer the plant spacing the

earlier a pruning program is required and the more frequently trees are pruned. Pruning to

open center or modified central leader is beneficial for tree strength and structure. Trees size

control may be by hand pruning and/or mechanical machinery. The suggested tree size varies

with environment, plant spacing, available technology, frequency of wind storms, and cultivar

growth habit and harvest season. In general, carambola tree size control pruning has been
demonstrated not to adversely affect production.

The recommendation for Florida is to top trees to 2.7-4.6 m and maintain 1.8-2.4 m

row middles. Topping and/or selective pruning 1-2 times per year is also practiced. Selective

pruning to thin-out inner canopy limbs will increase light penetration, help maintain lower

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