We have come to a time when we need to depend more on our gardens and what they can produce to keep our food costs lower and products locally grown.
Humans have had an impact on the world’s ecosystems for a long time. Some regions where humans and other mammals have thrived have changed the makeup of the landscape in major ways. It is not just modern humans that have drastically altered the planet.
For example, tropical Asia and Africa where primates and humans have lived for tens of thousands of years, the very makeup of forests have been altered. The amazing thing is that there are so many fruits and nuts that are good for human consumption. Can you imagine early inhabitants finding edible fruits in the forests and dispersing the seeds by one way or another time after time.
When the first humans arrived in Hawaii, there wasn’t much in the forests that was edible. They brought with them the coconut palm, Mountain Apple, breadfruit, banana and kukui. Now because of human activity, we find all kinds of fruit trees growing wild creating a new kind of Hawaiian forest complex in just a few hundred years. To this day we continue to add to the tropical fruit tree mix by what we plant in our gardens.
If you are looking for an exotic tree that’s just right for a small yard — one that grows easily, takes very little care and produces fruit? Then, get acquainted with the star fruit. The carambola also known as the star fruit or Averrhoa carambola, is a tropical Malaysian fruit that should be more widely grown in Hawaii. The tree was introduced into the Hawaiian Islands around one hundred years ago. It was probably brought from the old world tropics.
One reason we don’t see it more is that variability exists in seedling populations. Fruits of many seedlings are sour, but nurseries are beginning to carry grafted plants rather than seedlings because of the superior fruit.
The star fruit makes a small tree and will only grow to a height of about 20 feet. The habit of growth is such that the tree may be easily trained to various shapes. If left un pruned, it develops a rounded, open crown. The tree is wind-resistant, often withstanding winds of hurricane force with little damage.
Carambola trees should be planted in a well drained location since they are damaged by flooding. It will tolerate dry conditions, but growth and fruiting are reduced by extended periods of drought.
The tree does best at lower elevations since it is of tropical origin. In most areas of the state, it does not thrive above 2000 feet. Plant young trees in a sunny location. After it is established, look for loads of fruit. Maintenance is easy. Fertilize with a 1-1-1 ratio fertilizer three or four times a year. Fertilizer should be spread under the canopy and extend 2 to 3 feet beyond.
Insect pests and diseases are usually not a problem. The root system is not aggressive so the tree may be planted near the house, patio or driveway. The fruit produced can be eaten fresh, used in drinks or salads or made into preserves or jellies.
Another interesting fruit is the West Indian Barbados cherry. The Barbados cherry is not a cherry as such but a member of the Malpighia family. It bears the highest known vitamin C content fruit. As a comparison, oranges average 49 milligrams of vitamin per 100 grams of edible fruit (100 grams is about 3 1/2 ounces). The Barbados cherry picked as they are turning green to red average over 4,000 units per 100 grams. The tartly flavored three-lobed fruit may be eaten fresh, or it is super when used in jellies or preserves or is canned.
Seldom growing more than 12 feet, their small dark green leaves are contrasted by lighter undersides and, for added interest, they usually have curly edges. The white and delicately pink-tone flowers appear singly or in clusters in the leaf axils.
Easy to grow seedlings produce fruit between the first and third year, while grafted trees come into production the first year after planting. Of Bing cherry size, the fruit ripens gradually over a period of time. Highly disease resistant, this dual purpose shrub requires only routine garden care.
Those vitamin pills on your shelf, besides being pretty expensive items, are not nearly as palatable and eye appealing as fresh fruit, especially when it is grown in your own backyard. Take vitamin A for instance. One medium-size mango is supposed to contain 8,380 IU’s (international units) while 5,000 IU’s per day are listed as adequate.
A few other dooryard fruits that are high in this vitamin A are papayas, Japanese persimmons, avocados, bananas, oranges, tangerines, and Suriname cherry.
Some other tropical fruits famous for their contribution of vitamins are grapefruit, guava, mangosteen, soursop, sapote, cherimoya, lychee, longan, breadfruit, jakfruit and passion fruit. If you have the taste for it, the durian is becoming available at some nurseries. This rather “aromatic” fruit may be found at local farmers markets selling for $45 or more.
For sources of these and other tropical fruits, visit our local nurseries, garden shops and farmers markets. This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For further information, contact the office near you to speak to one of our knowledgeable Master Gardeners. In West Hawaii you may call (808) 322-4893 and East Hawaii, (808) 959-5199.
Norman Bezona is professor emeritus, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
