Download Kamias/Balimbing (Averrhoa)

VICARP R & D
INFORMATION SHEETS
KAMIAS/ BALIMBING
(Averrhoa)
‘Kamias’ and ‘Balimbing’ are rarely found in the local market mainly because they are just usually grown as
backyard trees and are not planted in large scale. At present, however, there is a growing awareness of the value of
these fruits as fresh and processed food and for their practical uses in home.
Description
The kamias tree is small, about 5-12 m high. Its branches are few and stiff which are usually upright. The compound
leaves consists of 7-19 leaflets arranged in two opposite sides and are about 20-60 cm long. The leaflets are narrow,
measuring 5-10 cm long and are pointed at the tip. The flowers usually grow on the trunk, large branches and on
short branchlets, 10-20 cm long and have reddish purple petals. The fruit is cylindrical with slight longitudinal lobes
up to 10 cm long, greenish yellow and translucent when ripe, juicy, sour and contains few and flattened seeds.
Variety
There is no named variety of kamias in the Philippines. However, there are two distinct forms of this fruit based on
the quality and taste: the sweet and the sour forms. The sour form is cultivated wider than the sweet form.
For balimbing, some forms approach the wild type having small, sour fruits used only for cooking. Others have large
golden yellow, sweet fruits which are excellent eaten fresh. Recently, ‘Kwangtung’, a large, juicy, slightly sour with
a good eating quality cultivar introduced from Thailand, was recommended for large scale planting.
Uses
Housewives use kamias fruits as a souring ingredient for many food preparations like ‘sinigang’. It is also used for
pickles, curries, chutney, and preserves in syrup.
Balimbing fruit is eaten fresh and used in salads, punch bowls, juice, preserves, jam and jelly.
Both fruits are used to clean metal and remove stains. In various ways, fruit may be used as traditional medicine, as
cure for skin disorder and fever.
Soil and Climatic Requirements
Grow kamias and balimbing in areas with pronounced dry season, although both trees also grow well in wetter
climates. Both have high water requirements but need well-drained soils with pH of 5.5-6.5. the trees must be
protected from drought, flooding, and salinity. For open areas, use windbreaks.
Cultural Management
Propagation and Planting. Kamias and balimbing may be propagated by seeds but asexual propagation by grafting
and budding is highly recommended. Standard plant spacing is 6 m x 6 m (227 trees/ha) for both species. Adjust
spacing of balimbing based on growing conditions, from 160 trees/ ha in favorable areas to 500 trees/ ha in
subtropics and at higher elevations.
To plant, prepare holes sufficiently large to accommodate the ball of soil of the planting material. Remove the
plastic bag, set the plant at the center of the hole, and fill the extra space with the previously dug top soil.
Plant at the start of the rainy season.
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VICARP R & D
INFORMATION SHEETS
Care and maintenance. Water the plants regularly especially when rains is irregular. Water is critical during the
first dry season after planting. Mulching may be practiced to limit water stress.
Apply 10-10-10-5 NPKMg fertilizer about 100g/tree every three months on young trees. The quantity is increased as
the tree matures. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly or apply in several shallow holes evenly distributed beneath the tree
canopy. Regularly correct deficiencies of zinc, manganese, and iron.
Prune to restrict tree size but avoid heavy pruning because this suppresses flowering.
Bag and thin excess fruitlets to produce high quality fruits.
Pests and diseases. The common diseases are leaf spot and pink disease but postharvest rots are more serious
especially in balimbing. Avoid even the slightest blemish because this invites fungal infection.
Caterpillars attack flowers and young leaves. The fruit suffers most from fruit fly maggots and fruit piercing moth.
To prevent infestation, wrap the fruits with plastic or paper bag.
Harvesting and Postharvest Handling
Seedling trees of kamias and balimbing will start bearing fruits four to six years after planting while asexually
propagated plants are expected to bear fruits earlier.
Kamias fruits are considered mature when they have attained their full size or when they turn yellowish green.
Balimbing fruits are picked when they turn pale green or greenish yellow.
Harvesting of kamias and balimbing is done by hand or by using bamboo pole with a wire hook and a basket or net
at the end to catch the fruits. Place the fruits in baskets lined with banana leaves or dried straw to prevent injury to
the fruits. The harvested fruits are immediately brought to the market or to the processors. These should be utilized
soon after harvesting since the fruits do not last very long. Kamias, however, can be dried and stored for quite some
time.
The fruits when picked as soon as it start to turn yellow can be stored at 5oC-10oC in a room with high humidity for
four weeks.
Source:
PROSEA Leaflet No. 12. 1992
ISBN 971-20-0249-7
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