Have you ever considered growing a Satsuma tree? No, we didn’t just sneeze – Satsumas are fruits, small seedless members of the mandarin family of citrus fruits. With sweet, juicy flesh and thin, easy-to-peel skins, Satsumas are a popular choice for lunch boxes or eating out of hand.
The Satsuma mandarin tree (also known as the Satsuma tangerine tree) is the most cold-hardy citrus available to US gardeners. Satsuma trees can grow in cool, coastal areas that would be unfriendly to other types of citrus, but are still limited to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11 when grown outdoors. Dwarf versions of the Owari Satsuma Tree and Brown Select Citrus Tree can be grown in pots and kept indoors anywhere.
Facts About Satsuma Orange Trees and Satsuma Tangerines
A Satsuma Orange Tree is an evergreen tree that tends to stay small and grow slowly, reaching a maximum height of about six feet tall when grown in a container, and 15-20 feet tall when grown in the ground. Unlike other types of citrus trees, the Satsuma Tree has a more “open” growth pattern and few thorns.
Like most citrus trees, the Owari Satsuma Mandarin Tree is self-pollinating, so you don’t need more than one tree in order to get fruit.
The blooms are white, with a citrus fragrance, and appear in midspring, usually March and April. The leaves are longer and wider than those of many citrus. They’re deep green, glossy and have a leathery texture. Satsuma trees are evergreen.
The fruit from an Owari Satsuma Orange Tree is medium sized with slightly flattened ends. Their deep-orange skin is thin, loose and peels easily. The segments pull apart easily and have a lovely citrus flavor, though less acidic than some citrus fruits (like, for example, the Classic Navel Orange). The fruit mature over a period of six to 12 weeks in September and October, often earlier than other oranges or mandarins. (It’s important to accurately gauge their maturity before harvest, since the fruits don’t ripen further after picking.)
Satsuma Tree Care
Satsuma Mandarin Tree Care is refreshingly easy! Citrus.com’s own Dwarf Owari Satsuma Tree is very hardy and needs very little maintenance before it begins to bear fruit. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Like all citrus, Satsuma Tree Care starts with ensuring the tree gets enough light. Plant your tree (or place your potted tree) in a spot where it is sure to get at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
- If your winters are cold, plant the tree in at least a 20-gallon pot that can be taken indoors or placed in a greenhouse or garage when temperatures threaten to dip near freezing.
- Water Satsumas when the soil dries, being careful not to keep them too moist. Soak the root ball and let it dry before watering again. Satsuma Orange Tree care is similar to caring for other citrus, which don’t do well when left in standing water, so well-draining soil is essential and you should avoid overwatering.
- Pruning Satsuma Trees is almost never needed, as they don’t have the dense foliage to generate the energy needed through photosynthesis to grow taller. Generally, pinching off unwanted leaves is enough.
Where to Find Satsuma Orange Trees for Sale
You can find several different types of Satsuma Mandarin Tree and other Tangerine Trees for sale at Citrus.com! Our collection of full-size Satsumas includes the popular Owari, the Brown Select, the Miho and the Seto. We also carry dwarf versions of the Owari and Brown Select that do especially well indoors.
