The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: gnappi on January 02, 2019, 04:53:49 PM

Title: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: gnappi on January 02, 2019, 04:53:49 PM
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?



Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: FMfruitforest on January 02, 2019, 06:27:12 PM
The carambolas around town are loaded nothing unusual to note here
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: Cookie Monster on January 02, 2019, 06:36:35 PM
How are your soil's calcium levels? Are the carambola less crunchy than normal (a sign of ca deficiency)?
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: noochka1 on January 02, 2019, 06:37:16 PM
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 
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: gnappi on January 02, 2019, 07:12:33 PM
Yes, I've been fertilizing but calcium dunno, they are not as firm as they have been in the past.
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: pineislander on January 02, 2019, 07:53:07 PM
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.
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: roblack on January 02, 2019, 09:35:16 PM
carambola and papaya doing well here too. Taste normal
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: Cookie Monster on January 03, 2019, 10:22:26 AM
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.
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: macias_97 on January 06, 2019, 05:21:19 PM
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??
Title: Re: A crummy year (so far) for Carambola and Papaya
Post by: Cookie Monster on January 07, 2019, 09:54:22 AM
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??