Citrus for the South

Want something to take the chill off winter days? Try a Satsuma mandarin, and enjoy its unparalleled sweetness and beautiful orange glow.

Thoughts of citrus inevitably lead most Southerners down to the Sunshine State with its endless rows of shiny green leaves and glowing orange fruit. Then our thoughts jump to a refrigerator full of slick containers of frozen juice concentrate. But Arlie Powell, former professor of horticulture at Auburn University, believes citrus belongs somewhere else-namely your yard. "Citrus makes a great addition to most landscapes, and, in particular, the Satsuma mandarin is well suited for many parts of the South."

In the Tropical and Coastal South, Satsuma (Citrus unshiu formerly C. reticulata) is easily grown outdoors year-round, while in the Lower and Middle South, this hardy citrus should be moved inside in winter or grown with frost protection. Regardless of where you live, the fruit can always be enjoyed whether purchased locally or mail-ordered.

A Fashionable Fruit

The Satsuma is desirable for its impressive sweet flavor, lack of seeds, and loose, easy-to-peel skin. In addition, the Satsuma tree is amazingly cold tolerant, often able to withstand freezing temperatures that would kill most other citrus. Because of these attributes, this tree was heavily planted all over the Coastal South. Unfortunately, a series of hard freezes in the early 20th century killed back a number of the trees, discouraging most growers from planting again. Recently, however, the growing demand for the incomparable sweetness of the fruit, coupled with new frost-protection systems, has brought the Satsuma back in favor with commercial growers and homeowners alike.

The Key to Cold Hardiness

Arlie and his wife, Gwen, have been growing Satsumas in their yard for years, and they've learned a thing or two about how to keep them producing great-tasting fruit year after year. "The first step to growing Satsumas is planting them in a sheltered part of your yard. You'd be surprised how much warmer a south-facing slope is in winter," Arlie says. Protecting the trees from wind is another way to ensure their survival. Plant them next to a wall or behind a row of trees. Just make sure the Satsumas get plenty of sun wherever they are-at least 8 to 10 hours a day. They can tolerate some shade, but less sun means less fruit.

Once the tree is in a protected part of your yard, the next important thing to watch is the nighttime temperatures in winter. "Satsumas can handle a freeze down to 17 degrees," Arlie says, "but if they're protected, they'll produce a whole lot more fruit." He builds a PVC frame around his trees every winter and simply slips a cover over the frame if the temperature is going below 28 degrees. If a severe freeze is predicted, Arlie puts a propane heater under the frame. "The trick is to remember to take the cover off once the temperature climbs back above freezing. A tree can quickly lose its cold-hardiness and begin breaking for spring if the temperatures are kept too warm."

The final key to keeping Satsumas alive in winter is to keep them happy year-round. A healthy, well-watered, properly fertilized tree can handle much colder temperatures than a weak one. Just remember that all citrus trees require plenty of water but also need good drainage. Water is especially important during the flowering and fruit-setting period, which usually occurs in April. If the roots sit in water, they will rot and kill the tree before too long, so only water when nearby lawn grass begins to show stress.

Northern Exposure

While Satsumas can be grown in all tropical and semitropical regions, the farther north they are, the better the fruit is. "What makes the Satsuma's flavor so unique is that it's grown so far north," Arlie says. "The flavor isn't diluted at all, and the shelf life is impressive. When a Satsuma is grown in South Florida, the peak fruit quality won't last a week on the tree or on the shelf, but grow the same fruit in Alabama, and it will be delicious for weeks." Satsumas flower in spring, set their fruit shortly thereafter, and ripen in fall. To ensure a good crop the following year, harvest all fruit by Christmas. Colder temperatures give it a unique sweet flavor that's very juicy and low in acid. According to Arlie, the Satsuma is unmatched by any other citrus for providing fruit in this season. EDWIN MARTY

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Nov 2003
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