![]() ![]() Leaves are dark green and glossy, and the gorgeous white blossoms are some of the most fragrant when the blooms appear in early spring from March to April. The branches commonly spread with an open growth habit, and the lower limbs should be pruned or supported to prevent fruit from touching the ground. Satsumas are small to medium-sized evergreen trees with low-hanging, drooping branches. The fruit is tart but sweet, slightly acidic and so delicious. Satsumas are high in vitamins A and C with a small amount of calcium and iron and one to two grams of fiber. Even little kiddos can get through the soft and easily peeled rinds to get their hands on the juicy edible parts. ![]() The segments separate with ease, and the small size of the fruit makes it a highly portable snack for all. The fruit is easy to peel and has few seeds. It has become the major commercial citrus type grown in the South. In the early 1900s, a million Owari satsuma trees were imported from Japan and planted throughout the Gulf Coast states from northern Florida to Texas. The tree was named “satsuma” by the wife of General Van Valkenberg, a United States minister to Japan who sent the trees from Satsuma province on Kyushu Island, Japan. According to Peter Anderson at the University of Florida, the first record of satsumas in the United States was in Florida in 1876. Satsumas are heavily cultivated in Japan, where most satsuma production is located in the southern part of the country. The fruit is native to China and Japan, and they are grown in cool subtropical regions around the world. Officially known as the satsuma mandarin ( Citrus unshiu), we have shortened the name to satsumas. Satsumas are a great citrus variety to grow for home growers to have in Louisiana because they are one of the most cold-hardy citrus types we can grow in the South. In the southern part of the state, satsuma harvest is well underway. Some early varieties began ripening in late September while other varieties will continue to mature through late November on into early December. Allow the tree to fully drain, and only water again when the top inch or two of soil has dried out.(11/01/19) It’s satsuma time in Louisiana. You can do this by watering the potted tree outdoors, or in a shower or bathtub. Remember that you must water the tree well, but also allow for drainage. If growing indoors, place the tree in a south-facing window. Place the potted tree where it can get as much direct sunlight as possible. You should be able to fill the new pot with at least 4 inches of fresh soil below and on all sides of the tree’s existing root ball. Select a pot that offers ample growing room for the tree. If you are growing your Seto Satsuma tree in a pot, choose a sturdy pot with holes for drainage. Do not over-bury, and plant so that the surface of the potted tree’s soil is even with the surface of the ground once planted. Dig a hole that is at least ten inches wider than the tree’s root ball on all sides. Select a sunny location that is well-drained and never has standing water. When growing a Seto Satsuma tree in the ground, try to choose a spot that is protected from high north winds, either from a building or established plants and trees. It’s easy to see why this tree is a favorite for both small gardens and container-grown locations. The Seto Satsuma is a small, cold-hardy tree that produces early crops of easy-to-peel, small, seedless mandarins that are sweet, tart, and juicy. Seto Satsuma Trees are also small and only grow to a mature size of about 12 feet tall, and 6 feet wide. They have no or very few seeds and have a surprising amount of juice for their size. The fruit is small, deep orange, and has a refreshing, slightly tart, but sweet taste. The tree’s ability to take cold temperatures makes it possible to grow in the ground in USDA Zones 8 to 10, and in a container in colder climates. These virtues make the fruit a favorite for eating fresh. Seto Satsumas are virtually seedless, very easy to peel, have thin skin, and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor. The Seto Satsuma Tree is a type of Mandarin that can tolerate colder temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. HappyGrow Growing System – Never Re-Pot Your Tree. ![]()
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