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Starfruit - Kari (Averrhoa carambola) 1G

$50.00
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Sweet, golden starfruit with year-round harvest potential 🌟🍈
In stock: 10 available
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Starfruit - Kari (Averrhoa carambola) 1G
Product Details

🌟 Carambola (Starfruit) ‘Kari’ — Super-Sweet, Ultra-Productive, Florida-Favorite! 🌿⭐

Meet the star of easy tropical fruiting. ‘Kari’ carambola showers you with crisp, golden stars twice a year (often more!), tastes like a zesty apple-citrus blend, and looks stunning in any edible landscape.

Ships in a 1-gallon container


🌿 Quick Facts

  • Botanical Name: Averrhoa carambola ‘Kari’
  • Plant Type: Tropical evergreen fruit tree
  • Sale Sizes: 3 gal (ships), 7 gal, 15 gal, 25 gal (local pickup/delivery)
  • Mature Size: 12–20+ ft unpruned; easily kept 8–10 ft with annual pruning
  • USDA Zones: 9b–11 (protect in freezes)
  • Sun: Full sun to light partial shade (best fruit in full sun)
  • Cold Hardiness: ~30–32°F (tip dieback possible; protect in cold snaps)
  • Growth Habit: Graceful, spreading canopy; fast-growing
  • Spacing: 12–15 ft (kept small) or 18–25 ft (unpruned/long-term)


Fruit & Flower Details

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet with a bright, tangy finish—think crisp apple meets tangerine.
  • Texture & Color: Juicy-crisp flesh; golden-yellow skin when ripe (light orange hue near the core).
  • Fruit Size: Medium to large, prominent 5–6 ridges that slice into perfect ⭐ shapes.
  • Bloom & Crop: Pink-lavender flowers; two heavy crops (summer & winter) with frequent off-season fruiting as trees mature.
  • Yield Tips: Keep evenly watered during bloom/fruit set, feed lightly-but-regularly, and prune for light penetration.

Top Benefits & Uses

  • Culinary: Fresh eating, fruit salads, juices, upside-down cakes, dehydrated “star chips.”
  • Nutrition: Naturally vitamin C–rich and refreshing without being overly sugary.
  • Ornamental: Lush foliage, arching branches, and charming pinkish blooms—true edible landscape beauty.
  • Wildlife: Flowers attract pollinators; abundant fruit keeps you (and your neighbors) smiling.
  • Origin Story: Native to Southeast Asia; now a beloved staple for Florida growers thanks to its reliability and heavy production.
⚠️ Note on Oxalates: Carambola contains oxalic acid (like spinach or kale). Individuals with kidney complications should consult a physician and avoid oxalate-rich foods.

Planting & Care (Florida-Proven)

  • Where to Plant: Full sun; well-drained soil (sandy/loam ok). Avoid constant high-wind exposures.
  • Soil Prep: Improve drainage if needed; mix in compost and a touch of biochar for structure.
  • Planting Method: We recommend our “High & Tight” method—slightly elevated planting and firm backfill to prevent settling (see GreenDreams on YouTube for our how-to).
  • Watering:
    • Weeks 1–3: light water daily (adjust for rain/heat)
    • Weeks 4–8: 2–3×/week
    • Established: weekly in drought; steady moisture during bloom/fruit set = better yields
  • Feeding: Light, frequent applications of organic fruit-tree fertilizer + micronutrients 3–4×/yr.
  • Pruning: Annual heading to 8–10 ft keeps fruiting accessible and canopy productive.
  • Cold Prep: Mulch 3–4", wrap trunk, cover canopy on freeze nights; water the day before a cold front.

Container & Patio Growing

  • Start Size: 3 gal → 15–25 gal over time.
  • Soil: Fast-draining potting mix (add perlite/pine bark).
  • Light: Full sun; bright, protected patios do great.
  • Winter: Roll into a sheltered spot or garage during freezes; supplement with lights if needed.

Cautions

  • Wind: Persistent high winds reduce fruit set; plant in a protected, sunny spot.
  • Cold: Tip burn below 32°F—protect young plants.
  • Pests: Generally low-maintenance; watch for scale/sooty mold if airflow is poor—manage with horticultural oils and pruning.

Is ‘Kari’ Right for You?

✅ Ideal for:

Home gardeners, edible landscapers, Florida growers (Zones 9b–11), permaculture food forests, and anyone who wants lots of fruit fast without finicky care.

❌ Not ideal for:

Unprotected, windy coastal exposures; areas with frequent hard freezes without a protection plan.


📦 Sizing & Shipping Notes

  • 1 Gallon: Eligible for nationwide shipping (UPS Ground). Not recommended for shipping to Western US.
  • 3 / 7 / 15 Gallon: Local pickup only due to size/weight (GreenDreams Retail Nursery, Spring Hill, FL). See address & hours information below.
  • We pack with care, but live plants can stress in extreme heat/cold. Please unbox, water, and acclimate promptly on arrival.

Ready to Harvest Star-Shaped Smiles?

Bring home the backyard showstopper that feeds, flowers, and dazzles—almost year-round.

Add ‘Kari’ Starfruit to your cart now and turn every snack into a ⭐ moment!


Local Pickup (Spring Hill, FL)

📍 GreenDreams Sustainable Solutions
18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Hours: Tues–Fri 9–5 | Sat 8–3
Come see what’s fresh 🌿

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.

Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location
, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
 

1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
 

2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.

  • For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.

  • For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
     

3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.

  • We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.

  • Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
     

For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.

 

🌿 Important Shipping Information

Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.

  • Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.

  • Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.

  • Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.

  • Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better

 

 

 

Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants

1. Understanding of Shipping Stress

By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.

2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage

Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.

3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations

Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.

4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule

Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.

5.Extreme Weather Conditions

Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.

6. No Refund Policy

Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.

7. Responsibility of Care

Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.

8. Consent

By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.

These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.

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GreenDreams Sustainable Solutions, Inc.
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Shop Our Retail Nursery Location: Open to the Public!
TUES - FRI 9 AM - 5 PM / SAT 8 AM - 3 PM

Retail Nursery Info + Contact - Click Here

All Online Orders Ship Mondays
Question About Your Online Order? USE CONTACT FORM HERE

ONLINE NURSERY / SHIPPING DEPT / MATERIALS DELIVERY / CONSULTATION & DESIGN - PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT FORM FOR BEST SERVICE: USE CONTACT FORM HERE

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