{"product_id":"starfruit-averrhoa-carambola-2l-pot","title":"Starfruit  (Averrhoa carambola) 2L Pot","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAverrhoa carambola is a tropical fruit tree grown for its compound foliage, pink flowers and ridged yellow fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStarfruit develops a branching habit with leaves divided into several green leaflets. The leaflets may fold together during the evening, in low light or when the plant is disturbed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature plants produce clusters of small pink to lavender flowers followed by waxy, deeply ridged fruit. When cut across the middle, the fruit forms the star shape from which its common name is derived.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRipe fruit is crisp and juicy, with a flavour ranging from sharp to sweet depending on the individual seedling and level of ripeness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the UK, Starfruit is best grown in a heated greenhouse, conservatory or bright indoor growing space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Averrhoa carambola\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Starfruit, Carambola, Five-Finger Fruit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant family:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Oxalidaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHabit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Branching evergreen tropical shrub or small tree\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotential height:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 2–4 metres in a large container, depending on pruning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Compound leaves with several green leaflets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Small pink to lavender flowers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Waxy, deeply ridged fruit ripening from green to yellow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePosition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun or bright partial shade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Heated greenhouses, conservatories and large containers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Very tender and not frost hardy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowing Advice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow your Starfruit in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-draining compost. Move the plant into progressively larger containers as it develops.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep the compost evenly moist throughout active growth. Starfruit does not respond well to prolonged drought, but the roots should never remain waterlogged.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlace the plant in a warm, humid and sheltered position with good light. Protect young plants from cold draughts and sudden exposure to intense sunlight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed regularly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Change to a high-potassium feed if the plant begins flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverwinter in a bright, heated greenhouse, conservatory or indoor growing space. Keeping the plant above approximately 10–12°C is recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome leaf drop may occur in response to cool temperatures, dry air or changes in growing conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruiting in the UK\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStarfruit requires warmth, strong light and plant maturity before flowering and fruiting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome plants can be partly self-fertile, while others may set fruit more successfully when cross-pollinated with another plant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit production is possible in a heated greenhouse or conservatory but cannot be guaranteed in the UK. Seed-grown plants may take several years to reach flowering size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat You Will Receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will receive one Starfruit plant growing in a 2-litre pot. Plants are typically dispatched at approximately 20–30 cm tall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant size, branching and leaflet development will vary naturally depending on the time of year.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant Information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeed-grown Starfruit plants are naturally variable. Future fruit may be sweet, sharp or intermediate in flavour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep the plant away from pets and children that may chew the foliage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Plant Nursery","offers":[{"title":"20-30cm","offer_id":56352034390356,"sku":"TFPAVECA","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/tropicalplantnursery.co.uk\/products\/starfruit-averrhoa-carambola-2l-pot","provider":"Tropical Plant Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}