A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya

[gnappi]

Ordinarily my summer carambola are better than the later crops but this year the carambola have been so very bland with near zero perceives sweetness. I have added a sprinkle of sugar or splenda to every one I ate to make them palatable.

My papaya are coming out HUGE and in great quantity but again unlike other winters they are decidedly bland.

Is anyone else having less than wonderful fruits this winter?

[FMfruitforest]

The carambolas around town are loaded nothing unusual to note here

[Cookie Monster]

How are your soil's calcium levels? Are the carambola less crunchy than normal (a sign of ca deficiency)?

[noochka1]

Are you fertilizing your trees?  My Kari carambola is really good this year and the 2 types of papaya I'm growing have been pretty tasty too.  maybe it's a nutrition issue?   

Regards,
Scott 

[gnappi]

Yes, I've been fertilizing but calcium dunno, they are not as firm as they have been in the past.

[pineislander]

Great crop of Papaya on my place in SW Florida, picking 50-75 lbs/week and flavor is good. Carambolas seem usual, I have taken a liking to eating a Miracle berry before eating them and enjoy them better.

[roblack]

carambola and papaya doing well here too. Taste normal

[Cookie Monster]

Lack of firmness is generally an indication of lack of ca. Compost can make ca deficiency worse, which is what I assume may have happened in your case. Try laying down gypsum. You can get it at Helena Chemical for about $12 / 50 pounds. I've been adding 100 - 150 pounds a year to each carambola tree.

[macias_97]

Lack of firmness is generally an indication of lack of ca. Compost can make ca deficiency worse, which is what I assume may have happened in your case. Try laying down gypsum. You can get it at Helena Chemical for about $12 / 50 pounds. I've been adding 100 - 150 pounds a year to each carambola tree.

100-150 pounds per tree??

[Cookie Monster]

Per mature tree. That's what I give mine every year. Gypsum is roughly 1/4 calcium, so that translates to maybe 30 pounds of calcium. And for max brix, you want somewhere around 10 to 20 pounds of calcium per pound of potassium.

Lack of firmness is generally an indication of lack of ca. Compost can make ca deficiency worse, which is what I assume may have happened in your case. Try laying down gypsum. You can get it at Helena Chemical for about $12 / 50 pounds. I've been adding 100 - 150 pounds a year to each carambola tree.

100-150 pounds per tree??