Star fruit, also known as carambola or Yangtao, belongs to the tropical evergreen fruit trees. It is cultivated in various regions including Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan, and in some northern areas under greenhouse conditions. Managing star fruit planting is relatively simple. Below, we will introduce the best time and methods for planting star fruit trees. Let's explore together.
Best Time for Planting
Generally, star fruit trees can be planted at any time except from November to January of the following year. However, it is important to note that the seedlings to be planted must grow to a height of 60-70 centimeters for easy survival after planting. For four-season sweet star fruit, except for extremely cold weather, they can be planted throughout the year. The earlier they are planted, the longer the growing season, resulting in higher yields for the year.
Planting Methods
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Soil Selection: Planting star fruit requires deep, organic-rich soil and convenient water sources in low-lying areas. This ensures rapid growth, high yields, and good quality. If planted in mountainous areas, due to poor and arid soil, growth is slow with few flowers and low yields. In such cases, soil improvement and organic fertilizer application are necessary, along with the establishment of irrigation facilities.
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Land Preparation and Fertilization: Before planting, dig large planting pits and apply sufficient well-rotted organic matter as base fertilizer. For flat orchards, the pits should be 50 centimeters deep and wide. If the soil is sticky and hard, the pits can be deepened and widened appropriately. For mountain orchards, the pits should be 1 meter deep and wide. After planting, it is necessary to expand the pits and improve the soil annually. Each pit should be filled with 25 kilograms of soil mixed with organic fertilizers, along with additional calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizer and lime, mixed well with the soil, and formed into mounds 20 centimeters above the ground. After the soil settles, planting can commence.
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Planting Method: The planting depth should be slightly lower than the soil surface. Planting too deep slows growth, while planting too shallow makes the seedlings susceptible to drought, reducing survival rates. During planting, ensure adequate watering to establish root systems. Water should be applied daily or every other day until establishment. Planting specifications are typically 3×4 meters or 3×5 meters, with 4050 plants per acre, and thinning is done after the tree crowns intersect.
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Transplanting: Seedlings should be planted upright, with the soil around the roots compacted and covered with grass. Additionally, after transplanting, it is necessary to cultivate at least once a year to promote soil weathering, ensuring good ventilation and water permeability, which are beneficial for root growth.
In conclusion, the planting time and methods for star fruit trees are conducive to their four-season flowering and fruiting characteristics, ensuring a long fruiting period, multiple harvests in a year, and easy cultivation. Star fruit trees grow quickly, have a long lifespan, early fruiting, and stable high yields.
