Carambola Starfruit - Aotearoa Gold - Grafted

Developed right here in Aotearoa, the Aotearoa Gold starfruit is a stunning new variety. This self-fertile tree is a prolific producer, yielding abundant crops of golden, star-shaped fruit. Each fruit is packed with sweet, juicy flesh and remarkably few seeds, making it a delightful treat. As the first named starfruit cultivar in New Zealand, Aotearoa Gold is a testament to our country's growing reputation for innovative and delicious fruit.

Aotearoa Gold has a deeper, more orange skin when ripening than most other yellow coloured Starfruit. Compared with other starfruit cultivars, we have found this variety to have a slightly more orange/apricot flavour to it, rather than the pure fruitiness of the common starfruit. Aotearoa Gold also has more plump fins, giving more flesh per fruit.

Hardiness:

Mature trees tolerate some frost, but growth stops below 13-16°C, and prolonged exposure to temperatures below -1°C can kill adult trees. They can be cultivated in warmer areas of New Zealand in sheltered locations, but perform better in greenhouses. In colder regions, they should be grown indoors or in greenhouses.

Growing Environment:

Hot, dry, and cold winds can harm the trees and fruit, so windbreaks are advisable. Starfruit trees prefer full sun, require fertilization 4-5 times a year, and need moderate, year-round watering. Excessive moisture during flowering can hinder pollination and fruit set, and while they are susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions, they generally thrive with moderate rainfall.

Propagation:

Seed-grown trees typically bear fruit in 4-6 years, while grafted trees may produce fruit in under a year.