Everything You Need to Know About Owari Mandarin Trees
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Owari Mandarin trees, also known as Satsumas, produce a bounty of juicy, easy-to-peel, seedless oranges that ripen early, through December. Because they’re self-pollinating, you only need one to gain this harvest.
Owari Mandarin trees can be planted as stand-out specimens or to add a pop of color on your patio, planted in a pot that can be taken indoors during the cooler months. This cold-hardy orange variety is available even to those in colder climates, and its clusters of fragrant white blossoms attract all sorts of pollinators in the spring.
Owari Mandarin Trees at a Glance
Appearance
Owari Mandarin trees grow in a rounded shape, with slender, spreading branches. Their inch-long leaves are dark green year-round. In spring, delicate clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom. In late fall, they are replaced by deep orange fruits with smooth to slightly rough skin that are heavy enough to drag down the branches.
These trees are compact, growing to just 8-12 feet tall outdoors with a 10-foot spread. They can grow even smaller as potted plants.
Specifications
|
Appearance |
Spreading branches grow to rounded shape with dark green, evergreen inch-long leaves. Clusters of white flowers in spring. Oranges ripen in October to December, with bold hues and smooth to slightly rough skin |
|
Height |
8-12 feet |
|
Hardiness Zones |
Indoors: 4-11 Outdoors: 8-11 |
|
Type of tree |
Evergreen |
|
Sunlight requirements |
Full sun to partial shade |
|
Soil composition |
Highly adaptable but prefer moist, well-drained, sandy soil with a neutral pH |
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants can grow based on minimum winter temperatures. Owari Mandarin trees can be grown as patio plants that are taken indoors from the first frost to spring in Zones 4-11. The trees can only be planted in the ground if they are in Zones 8-11, which is throughout the south, most of Texas, and along the West Coast.
Planting
The best times to plant Owari Mandarin trees are during spring or fall. We recommend taking these steps:
- Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained soil—if the soil is wetter, you’ll want to plant the tree on a small mound.
- Clear away any weeds, turfgrass, or debris.
- Dig a hole 2-3 times the width of the container your Owari Mandarin tree came in. For well-draining soil, you want the hole to have the same depth as the container.
- Begin backfilling the hole with soil. Stop halfway and pour water into the hole. Once it drains away, continue filling in the soil.
- In wetter areas, build a slight but wide mound about 1-2 inches higher than the surrounding soil and follow the same process.
Growing Conditions
Owari Mandarin trees are low-maintenance, able to adapt to a wide range of soil types, and flexible about the amount of sun they receive. If you live in a cooler region, it is advised you bring your Owari Mandarin tree indoors from the first frost until spring.
Sun and Shade
These trees grow in full sun or in partial shade. Their preference is full sun, but they will grow well in both.
Soil
Owari Mandarin trees are highly adaptable to a wide range of soils but flourish in well-drained, moist, sandy soil with a neutral pH. If the soil is not well-drained, you will need to plant your Owari Mandarin tree on a mound.
Watering
When your tree is first planted, water it twice a week to help it grow a strong, extensive root system. After a few weeks, you can reduce planting to once a week. Only water your tree when the first 1-2 inches are dry. You can test this by inserting your index finger into the soil and checking to see if it’s moist.
Fertilizing
Do not fertilize your Owari Mandarin tree until the tree has begun growing. Once there is visible growth, you can feed your tree with specialized citrus tree fertilizer once every six weeks from spring through summer.
Pruning
Owari Mandarin trees do not require annual pruning, since they will grow in a rounded shape naturally. You only need to prune dead, damaged, or diseased branches in winter. You may want to trim the branches if they are outgrowing their space. That could cast shade on lower limbs and inhibit fruit production.
Harvesting
Owari Mandarin trees ripen early—during the holiday season, from roughly October to December. The oranges are deep in color with skin that ranges from smooth to slightly rough. The oranges need to be picked as soon as they ripen, but they store well. Harvest them carefully—if you pull the fruit directly from the tree, the skin may tear. Cut the fruits off from the stalk instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Owari Satsuma?
Owari Satsuma is the same thing as an Owari Mandarin tree—an evergreen citrus tree that produces deep orange, easy-to-peel, seedless fruit from October to December.
How big do they grow?
Owari Mandarin trees grow to 8-12 feet tall.
What is the best Satsuma tree?
This is a matter of opinion, but the Owari Satsuma, or Owari Mandarin, is a top choice for its early ripening season, low maintenance levels, and juicy, seedless fruit.
Are they seedless?
Yes, the fruit of Owari Mandarin trees is seedless.
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