Starfruit Tree Problems or Disease - Need Help

[carolstropicals]

We have had a Starfruit tree for over 5 years.  Was producing many, many fruits.
The last 2/3 months the small branches have been dying at the tips and the leaves
are turning yellow and falling.
Also the fruit is so small maybe 1 1/2 inches.
I don't know what is wrong with our tree.

If anyone has had similar problems or could help us with these symptoms, please respond.

I could buy a new tree, but I'm afraid to put the new tree in the same soil.

Thanks in advance, Carol

[Plantinyum]

Hi, I dont have a worthwhile experience with starfruit, I have two plants which are potted, the oldest is around 5years and 2 meters high. I have never had such problems with mine ,but I guess it could help the more know whats to identify your problem if u provide pics.

[Triphal]

Probably Cicada slitting the twigs (small cuts) and laying eggs. The tips die off. Unlike our 13 or 17 year Cicada broods which have emerged from the ground early summer this year Texas has a few annual different type of Cicadas. Just a suggestion. Enjoyed the cyclic chirpings in 1986, 2003 and this Dog-Day summer. Dog-day star means Sirus of the summer. Please ask your County Agricultural Dept. Thanks for presenting this interesting phenomina.  Triphal

[Triphal]

Sorry about the spelling error of 'Phinomena'. Thanks. Triphal

[carolstropicals]

I will post pictures later today.

There are no bugs on this tree.
Also will try to contact my county agent.

A once prolific producing Kari Starfruit tree is declining losing
limbs and leaves.
Fruit is about 2" long when fruit was 6 inches
Tips of branches dying.
Thanks everyone, Carol

[Fishinsteeg234]

I have not yet experienced this issue with my 6month old Carambola, but yellowing could be a sign of too
much water? Have you been receiving lots of rainfall this hurricane season? Pics may help someone more experienced on here identify the issue. If it’s just rain related, it should bounce back once things start to dry-out in the upcoming months. 

[Guanabanus]

Have you fertilized?  With what?

Sounds like deficiencies of Copper, Boron, Nitrogen.  Molybdenum?

[carolstropicals]

Interesting you should ask about the Fertilizer.  In the spring I put Whitney Farms Organic Planting Soil on the top around the Starfruit tree.

Beginning of the decline.

I have always used Organic Alfalfa on my yard, etc. so using this product which contained Alfalfa was an easy choice.
Costco carried this product plus another Miracle Grow soil.
At this point I didn't realize what was happening to the tree.
Later, still thinking this was good soil, I tried to find more, but Costco didn't have any stock.

I began reading reviews people had left about the soil and found really scathing reviews.  Some said
there were rubber pieces along with metal and other trash when they opened the bag.  Hope many
read this so they will not use this product.

I am posting a picture of the trunk which doesn't look right.  I have lost trees before by adding too much mulch
around the trunk.  Over a month ago I pulled back soil from the trunk, but have seen no change.  At
least the tree is not dead.  If I can add more pics, I will.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Carol

[carolstropicals]

This is another pic of part of the tree.
Will take the full starfruit tree tomorrow

I did talk to the county agent. 
He said to have the soil tested.
I just find this hard to believe since this was such a
prolific tree until this summer.

Carol

[Plantinyum]

I think the soil ,whatever it was ,was burning or probably holding too much moisture on the trunk, it it was touching it. Thats my bet since u say the problems started after adding the soil. By the way the leaves of your sf dont look terible to me, the bigger one I have was on the brink of extinction past fall since I burned her with not aged manure and was in a soggy soil for a week or two. It survived once I figured the problems ,and at a moment it had maybe around ten leaves at most. What I,m trying to say is they are very resilient  plants, and yours should recover...

[Guanabanus]

The bright yellow older leaves indicate Nitrogen deficiency.  Those leaves are in positions where they probably should still be green and viable for another year, then, when they are shaded out, turn yellow and fall.

  You need to use a full fertilizer mix, intended for palms or for fruit trees--- with all the micro-nutrients.  If the soil doesn't have lots of limestone or shell, fertilize also with gypsum, preferably pelletized.  The BRIX of the fruits will rise, providing more flavor and sweetness.

[Plantinyum]

On my tree right now I also have bright yellow leaves, which are falling but this is normal since now here its fall and those leaves are the ones which grew on the plant over the past winter. If your yellow leaves are newer growth ,then it is a problem but by your pic they seem to be older, in which case its normal. Your new green leaves look a little more pale green than normal, judging by my plant which has ultra deep green leaves. But since your plant has trunk problems I guess its little difficult to say if its malnutrition, or the trunk problem itself. They are heavy feeders thought, and as suggested need a lot of balanced nutrition.
 I see flowers on the tree, and if those set any fruit I think it will be better to cull it up ,since the tree is not in perfect health mode, and need all its energy for recovering. Thats what I would do with any fruiting tree thats is not in prime condition.

[carolstropicals]

Ok, will feed with my organic fruit fertilizer.  Thanks for that everything.

Thanks also for the encouragement.
Recovery is a Wonderful thing.
Haven't seen a tree do this, but your encouragement gives me hope.

Will feed, cull and wait.  We've prayed for this tree many times.

Carol

[Plantinyum]

Ok, will feed with my organic fruit fertilizer.  Thanks for that everything.

Thanks also for the encouragement.
Recovery is a Wonderful thing.
Haven't seen a tree do this, but your encouragement gives me hope.

Will feed, cull and wait.  We've prayed for this tree many times.

Carol

wish luck to u and your tree !☺