Carambola "star fruit" in California
 

Anyone here know how carambola trees grow in central california? anyone have experience with these trees? I am interested in getting one but dont know much about them or if they can grow well in california. Any information on these trees would be great.
Tyler

Re: Carambola "star fruit" in California
 

Not sure about your part of the state, but these guys do not like the cold. My grandmother has 3 and they do ok.They are about 20-25 feet tall. She does get fruit,but i do not care for the taste of them. I would say that if you do get one, your going to have to figure out how to keep it warm in the winter. My grandmother lives down here in SoCal. But she lives in a micro-climate. When it gets 32F at my house on super cold nights, she gets no lower then 40F.

Re: Carambola "star fruit" in California
 

I live in Salinas California, its pretty close to the coast near monterey. We dont experience to many freezing nights here but it does get below 40 at nights. Do the trees get damaged when the temp gets down to the 40s?

Re: Carambola "star fruit" in California
 

here is a link. should give you some good info. I can only speak for my grandmothers trees. They have done well down here.


http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/carambola.html

Re: Carambola "star fruit" in California
 

Thanks for the link, it was very helpful. The website said they are good container trees so maybe ill try to keep one in a container for awhile till it gets big enough not to get freeze damage.

Re: Carambola "star fruit" in California
 

That is how i would start. Good luck.:nanadrink: