Arkin carambola not fruiting

[Benoit30]

Almost three years ago, I planted an Arkin starfruit in my garden. Despite the cold winters, it grows well and has been flowering for two years. To my great regret, the flowers do not produce fruit. I've just realized that it's a dioecious species. I thought that selected varieties were self-fertile, especially as no one here in Europe sells a pollinating male.
On my tree, I have a branch growing under the grafting point, perhaps that could give complementary flowers?
Thank you for enlightening me on this subject, here in Europe we lack experience on this pretty fruit tree.

[kapps]

I’ve had issues with my Sri Kembangan as well. Mine took around 3 years to set a fruit (only a few) and two more years before it set around 20 fruit. Those 20 fruit are currently hanging on it now. I also have a Fwang Tung and a seedling but they don’t seem to flower at the same time so no cross pollination. The Fwang Tung is 2 years old and has set one fruit.

[Growfoodsurf]

I would say just give it time. You got a grafted tree but doesn't mean it can make fruit right away. Let it grow roots and get strong.

[Coconut Cream]

Some people consider carambola an easy tree to grow, and one that fruits at a young age, but I have struggled with them too. I've killed a few young ones with too much sun, and the only one that made it to fruiting age makes fruit with a distinct bitter after taste. I waited 30 months for that? Not exactly what I would call "rapid abundance" 

I can see a stone wall in the background of the photo, are you sure the tree is getting enough sun exposure to produce fruit? It may not be very productive until it reaches over that wall. Even though I found the carambola to struggle with full sun as a juvenile tree, the more mature trees will need plenty.

[MadFarm]

Arkin is self fertile but has been a terrible producer for me as well... less than 10 fruits in 5+ years. It is one of the older varieties. Replaced with fwang tung and Sri kembangan in same location and have had dozens of fruit in less than a year from 3 gal grafted plants planted in ground.

[Benoit30]

I can see a stone wall in the background of the photo, are you sure the tree is getting enough sun exposure to produce fruit? It may not be very productive until it reaches over that wall. Even though I found the carambola to struggle with full sun as a juvenile tree, the more mature trees will need plenty.

That's true, the carambola tree have sun only in the morning. It's maybe not enough ?

Arkin is self fertile but has been a terrible producer for me as well... less than 10 fruits in 5+ years. It is one of the older varieties. Replaced with fwang tung and Sri kembangan in same location and have had dozens of fruit in less than a year from 3 gal grafted plants planted in ground.

It's good to know, I will try to graft it with another cultivar ?

[Coconut Cream]

That's true, the carambola tree have sun only in the morning. It's maybe not enough ?

I think that will limit the productivity of fruit. Full sun is best.

[Growfoodsurf]

That's true, the carambola tree have sun only in the morning. It's maybe not enough ?

I think that will limit the productivity of fruit. Full sun is best.

Considering Starfruit is an understory tree and have witnessed it perform best on northwest hillsides in the tropics. I believe you have bunk advice sir.

[Maypop]

Considering Starfruit is an understory tree and have witnessed it perform best on northwest hillsides in the tropics. I believe you have bunk advice sir.

OP is in Nimes, France, though, overall they might need more sun than they would in the tropics... Even for Cali, it seems like it's usually recommended to cultivate them in full sun?

[Benoit30]

Considering Starfruit is an understory tree and have witnessed it perform best on northwest hillsides in the tropics. I believe you have bunk advice sir.

Thanks for all your advices.

Arkin is self fertile but has been a terrible producer for me as well...

What would be best choice considering fruit tatse and "heavy" production ? In Europe we may have acess to those cultivars : B10, B17, Jungle Gold, Kari and Sri Kenbangan. Fwang Tung.

[Coconut Cream]

Considering Starfruit is an understory tree and have witnessed it perform best on northwest hillsides in the tropics. I believe you have bunk advice sir.

My comment is only based on my experience of having a carambola close up against the house that barely fruited after 3 years. Moved it out in the open and production improved. Your mileage may vary and I don't claim to be an expert gardener.

[Growfoodsurf]

Considering Starfruit is an understory tree and have witnessed it perform best on northwest hillsides in the tropics. I believe you have bunk advice sir.

My comment is only based on my experience of having a carambola close up against the house that barely fruited after 3 years. Moved it out in the open and production improved. Your mileage may vary and I don't claim to be an expert gardener.

Okay so quick analysis. Starfruit against house = heat island. You moved it away and tree is more comfortable. Is your scenario a matter of understory/partial shade or just reflective heat. 

From my experience, starfruit likes warmth but indirect sunlight.

[Benoit30]

Finaly, a fruit of my starfruit tree apears !!!

[MadFarm]

Good luck

[barath]

I found with my starfruit trees that it took about 3-4 years of flowering before they set fruit. It also seems like bees need to discover the flowers if you want fruit -- hand pollination didn't work well for me.

[Tropheus76]

Right there with you dude. I have had one that is about 7 or 8 feet tall now. Hasnt had a freeze do damage in several years at this point. No fruit still. I have noticed my smaller potted ones have these weird spontaneous die offs where they lose all their leaves. Big ones dont seem to have these issues. I need to plant them this weekend