Description
The Dwarf Owari Satsuma Tree is a dwarf-sized evergreen mandarin tree that is cold tolerant and disease resistant. These tangerine trees produce delicate, fragrant white blooms that look incredible contrasted against the deep green of its leaves.
The Dwarf Owari Satsuma Tree, botanical name Citrus reticulata Satsuma mandarin ‘Owari’, is a dwarf-sized evergreen mandarin tree that is cold tolerant and disease resistant. This citrus tree best suited planted outdoors in USDA growing zones 8-11. You can plant this dwarf citrus tree in colder zones but you need to protect it from strong winds and frost damage. If you are in USDA growing zones 4 to 7 this citrus tree should be planted in a container so you can easily move it indoors when the weather gets too cold. Be it planted in the garden or in a pot inside your house, you will be able to enjoy the fresh, citrus scent emitted by the blooms and the fruit of your satsuma tree.
Dwarf Owari Satsuma mandarin trees have dark green foliage that is rounded in nature and nearly thornless. This citrus tree can reach up to 8-10 ft in height but can be maintained at your preferred shape and size through pruning and pinching. These tangerine trees produce delicate, fragrant white blooms that look incredible contrasted against the deep green of its leaves.
The Owari Satsuma dwarf tangerine tree is a prolific grower of excellent fruit that are typically seedless (with one or two seeds if any), sweet, succulent and easy to peel making them a favorite among children and adults alike. Furthermore, just like all other citrus fruit, Owari Satsumas are a great source of vitamin C that may boost the immune system. The Owari Satsuma dwarf tangerine is not just delicious and healthy, but is also easy to peel and eat.
Citrus Tree Care
The Owari Satsuma tree is the hardiest of the dwarf mandarin trees. It is also easy to care for and needs minimal maintenance to grow healthy and start bearing fruit.
- The Owari Satsuma tangerine tree is classified as a tropical tree and does well in warm climates. It enjoys basking in the sun for 6 to 8 hours a day and is somewhat sensitive to colder temperatures during the fall and winter seasons. When you buy a mandarin tree be sure to purchase and plant it in spring or fall.
- Planting Directions (for potted Dwarf Owari Satsuma Tree)
- Select a pot that is 1 to 2 pot sizes larger than the container the dwarf citrus tree arrived in that has built-in casters so you can easily bring it inside when the temperature during winter is consistently below 40º F. Also ensure that you purchase a pot with a lot of holes to allow proper drainage.
- Fill the new pot halfway with sandy-loam potting soil and place the tree gently in it. Once done, fill the remaining potting soil around the tree without covering the grafted are of the tree. Ensure that there is an inch between the topsoil and rim of the pot for easy watering.
- Pack down the soil to make sure there are no air packets before giving the tree deep watering.
- Move the newly repotted plant in front of a south-facing window where it can get lots of sunshine. Create humidity as needed by placing the pot on a saucer of pebbles or mist the leaves with water daily.
- All citrus trees including growing mandarin trees do not like excessive or standing water so they should be planted in well-draining sandy-loam soil. Be sure to deeply water your growing citrus trees every five to ten days and wait until the top part of the soil dries out before watering again to ensure that the soil is moist but not saturated. Keep in mind though that during dry summers you need to increase watering because the soil dries out faster and during rainy seasons reduce watering to avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot and the demise of your plant. Signs of overwatering are yellow and droopy leaves.
- Weeds are harmful to growing citrus trees because they compete for space and nutrients. They should be pulled out when they come out of the bare soil within 6 inches of the trunk. You can also place a 3-inch layer of mulch under the trees’ canopy about 6 inches away from the trunk to retain moisture in the soil and inhibit weed growth.
- Spring and summer are the best time to feed your young mandarin trees citrus fertilizer. They should be fed fertilizer for citrus trees once every six months to ensure that your tree will grow healthy and start bearing tasty fruits. During fall and winter hold back on fertilizing your citrus trees and feed them once every 2-3 months.
Fruit & Harvesting
Fruit
Mandarin trees take just two to three years before they are ready to bear fruit so it will not be long before you can start enjoying juicy Satsuma mandarins.
The medium-sized (6-10 centimeters wide and 2-3 centimeters tall), bright-orange colored Owari Satsuma mandarins are mostly oblate to subglobose in shape with a smooth, thin and leathery rind that is easy to peel. Because of its puffy, loose skin it is commonly called the kid glove orange and is great for kids who love oranges without creating a mess.
The flesh is segregated in 10-12 segments with tough carpellary membranes. It has a bright-orange color, generally seedless with two or three seeds if there are any, sweet, tender and juicy.
Satsumas are typically hand eaten but can also be used on salads, for seasoning, marmalade, cakes and other deserts. This fruit is available from late December to January so it can be enjoyed during the Christmas season.
Harvesting
Owari Satsumas are ready for harvest starting late December into January and harvesting season can extend to March depending on the location where the citrus trees are grown. You can tell that the fruit is ripe when it has become slightly soft and the entire rind has turned orange. Some fruit are already ready for harvest even when the rind has still some green on it. It is a good practice to harvest a few fruits and do a taste test to know the readiness of the others on the citrus tree.
When harvesting make sure to be extra careful as the fruit easily bruises. Also keep in mind that since the fruit is soft and peels easily you cannot just simply grasp the fruit in your hands and pull them off the tree since as the skin may be left and the mandarin will be compromised. The best way to harvest Owari Satsumas is by using clippers and leaving a tiny bit of stem attached to fruit.
Advice
Dwarf Owari Satsuma mandarin trees are hardy but need to be protected below 28º temperature. They can grow up to 6’-8’ when planted on ground but tend to grow smaller when planted in a pot. Their usual bloom season is in spring and the fruit that needs heat to sweeten are in season from December to January.
Pest and Diseases
Pests
Owari Satsuma Trees are usually pest resistant when given sufficient water and citrus tree fertilizer. However, they can be susceptible to spider mites, citrus thrips, aphids and snails. Minor pest infestations can be handled by the citrus trees themselves and does not require pesticide applications. However in the event you encounter major infestation you can apply insecticidal soap to your dwarf Satsuma tree.
Before using the insecticidal soap make sure to shake the bottle well – about a minute or two- to mix the ingredients thoroughly. Spray the entire tree especially the undersides of the leaves, cracks and crevices and repeat the treatment weekly for a few weeks until all the pests are gone.
Diseases
- Alternaria Rot – Typically affects lemons and navel oranges but may also infect Satsumas. The disease typically attacks after the harvest season during storage. It manifests itself by forming brown or black spots on the end of the fruit that is opposite the stem. You can treat harvested fruit with imazalil or 2,4-D (make sure to follow manufacturers guide).
- Brown Rot – Caused by Phytophthora fungi and causes brown spots on fruit that are hanging near the ground. This can be prevented by pruning the bottom of your trees about 24 or more inches above the ground to prevent rain splash from spreading fungus spores. You can also spray copper fungicide before or after the first rain for preventive measures.
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