Characteristics of satsuma, the sweetest citrus

Have you ever heard of the satsumas? The truth is that it would not be surprising if anyone confused it with mandarin: they are very similar! The leaves are long and dark green, the fruit is equally acidic but without being unpleasant,… and their bearing is similar.

However, the origin is different. And its characteristics, of course, are not exactly the same. Know her.

Origin and characteristics of satsuma

Our protagonist is a small tree, or rather an evergreen shrub originating in Japan, which can reach a maximum height of 4 meters. It is known as satsuma, unshu mikan or simply mikan, a term that means “sweet citrus” in the Japanese language. The plant belongs to the Citrus genus, that is, to that of citrus fruits, such as orange, mandarin, grapefruit, and many, many others.

It is characterized by having lanceolate, dark green leaves. Each spring white and aromatic flowers sprout, about 3cm in diameter, made up of five petals. Once pollinated, the fruit begins to ripen, which will be ready in autumn-winter, as soon as it has reached a size of 5 to 7,5 cm in diameter, and has changed its color from green to orange.

What are their cares?

If you dare to have a specimen, we recommend you follow our advice to enjoy a plant whose production will increase as it grows and strengthens :

Location

The satsuma has to be outside, in full sun. As it is not very large and does not take up much space, it is ideal to have near large plants, and even about 4 meters from the pool for example.

Earth

• Garden: like the rest of citrus fruits, it needs a fertile soil, with a good water drainage capacity, and whose pH is neutral, slightly acidic (no less than 5) or slightly alkaline (no more than 7.5).
• Pots: a good mix would be 70% substrate for urban garden (for sale here!) + 30% perlite (for sale here!) or similar.

Irrigation

Irrigation will be moderate to frequentespecially depending on the climate (the warmer and drier, the more it will be necessary to water). To give you an idea, in a Mediterranean coastal climate, with temperatures of up to 38ºC in summer and up to -2ºC in winter, and with a fairly marked dry season (it can last about six months, coinciding with spring and ending around the beginning of autumn), it should be watered 3 to 4 times a week, except in winter when 1 or 2 weekly waterings is enough.

With this in mind, you can get an idea of ​​when you should water. But when in doubt, always check the soil moisture before watering, either by inserting a thin wooden stick, or with a digital moisture meter (for sale No products found.).

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From the beginning of spring until the fruits ripen It is highly recommended to fertilize satsuma with organic fertilizers, such as guano (for sale here!), cow manure, compost, among others. You can also, very occasionally (once every two months for example) add fertilizers of algae extract (for sale here!), but I insist, you should not abuse it because although it is very rich in nutrients, it is too alkaline.

If you see that the leaves turn yellow and you have it in calcareous soil, water it with iron sulfate or fertilize it regularly with fertilizers for acidic plants (for sale here!) following the instructions specified on the package.

Pruning

You don’t really need it. Remove dead, diseased, and weak branches in late winter.

Multiplication

It is a plant that multiplies by seeds or graftsgrafting on other citrus fruits such as the trifoliate orange or trifoliate citrus.

Seeds

To germinate, the seeds they have to be sown in seedbeds (pots, seedling trays, etc.) with specific substrate (for sale here!), burying them no more than 1cm and keeping them moist but not waterlogged, outside in semi-shade.

Thus they germinate in 1 or 2 months.

Grafts

What is done is a gusset or bud graft in Twith the help of a grafting knife and a tape to join the graft with its host plant.

You have all the information here:

Planting or transplanting time

The ideal time to plant it in the garden or orchard, or to change the pot, is in spring.

Harvest

In autumn winter. The specimens obtained from seed take an average of eight years to bear fruit.

Rusticity

It resists frosts of up to -9ºC. As a curiosity you should know that it is said that the colder it passes, the sweeter its fruit will be.

What uses is given to satsuma?

Ornamental

It is a very decorative, elegant shrub, and also quite easy to care for. It can be had both in soil and in pots, and lives well in a wide variety of climates.

Edible

It is the most popular use. Specific, used to make juicesalthough it can also be consumed as a dessert.

What did you think of the satsuma?