I've never started one, but I do have a tree that is like a weed. Parts of the year my backyard is covered with fallen fruit, part time is covered with fallen blossoms. I wouldn't plant one now knowing what I know. However, it is a beautiful shady productive tree. I have no idea how to propagate it. The fruit is high, I can't reach it with twigs in the way, it is bruised when it falls. I don't care for the fruit unless it is peeled and it is work to peel. Cut it back severely and it recovers and grows again. It is still a beautiful tree.
theo

Thanks theoj, do you know what type of starfruit yours is?

Hi
Have had one since 01.Don't remember when it first started producing but is the most incredibly productive fruit tree I've ever seen is covered with fruit right now and is flowering again lol Only complaint about it that was supposedly a "dwarf" but is 25 feet both ways and the top has been removed twice. Fruits so heavily that it snaps the limbs. Have never tried to propagate it, one is MORE than enough lol
Can't remember the name of the cultivar nor where I got it Must have been under 20 bucks though as that's my limit on plants lol Was a regular nursery not the box stores though. There are many cultivars so try to find one that will let you taste the fruit because you're going to eat a LOT of carambola lol gary

We just bought one this past spring (I think March) and haven't seen any flowers or fruit yet. I know that doesn't help you much, but you may still be within the "norm".

Is it a grafted or a seed grown tree?

I bought one at Homer about a year and a half ago. I can't remember, I think it was a Lara (but maybe a Kary). It has finally bloomed and is loaded with flowers and tiny fruit.

I forgot. Mine is in the ground. I tried to root cuttings with little luck. One stick tried to make roots but died.

You might want to check out Pine Island nursery. They might have an answer as to why you have no fruit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Starfruit@Pine Island

Awesome info guys. Thanks a lot.

I scored a small tree at the farmers market. A Sri about five feet tall in a one gallon bucket. I am going to move it to a three or a five since I don't know where I am gojng to live next year, and I don't want to lose another tree to my parents yard :)
Is it better to move it to the bigger pot right away or gradually move over time?

A little known fact to many, including to us in The Tropical Fruit Club of Central Fl., is that many varieties of carambola need a pollinator tree. Kary and Arkin are the trees to grow if you want only one. If you want to grow trees such as Sri Kembangan or Fwang Tung, those must have a pollinator.

As mentioned, the grafted trees are not very expensive and it is the best way to grow the trees.

dirtycoconuts ~ If that tree was mine I would transplant the tree into a 3gal pot right away. As for 5gal, I would wait until later next spring. But, that is for my area. You don't have your zone listed.

Christine

We have a Sri carambola. So we need to get another tree as a pollinator, then?

nessz - Arkin or Kari would be good to plant nearby. Many starfruit growers that I know prefer the flavor of Kari.

Thanks! I don't know how many years would have passed before I got frustrated with no fruit! I think I might wait until Spring to get another one, though, after the danger of frost/freeze has passed and it can have a long stretch to grow.

Christine, thanks for that info. How can I get a tree that will specifically be a pollination tree? I was told it is a Sri but one of the other trees right next to it was fruiting already.

I'm in zone 10b

dirtycoconuts ~ Any self-pollinating tree will pollinate others that need a pollinator. Your trees will be very happy in zone 10b. I have to grow mine right up next to my house, on the south side, to take advantage of the microclimate.

Christine