The Satsuma mandarin is the most popular and cold-tolerant citrus variety for home gardeners throughout the Gulf Coast region. This fruit tree is uniquely suited to survive the milder winters of Louisiana, where it thrives in the hot, humid summers. Successfully growing Satsumas requires careful consideration of the state’s high rainfall, heavy clay soils, and the occasional hard freeze. Timing the planting correctly and implementing specific site preparation techniques are foundational steps for the tree’s long-term health and productivity.
Determining the Optimal Planting Window
The optimal window for planting a Satsuma tree in Louisiana is during the tree’s dormant or semi-dormant period, primarily in late winter or early spring. This preferred window typically spans from January through early April, allowing the tree to establish its root system before the intense heat of summer arrives. Planting during this cooler period minimizes transplant shock before the tree begins its active growth cycle.
In the southernmost parishes, planting can begin as early as November and continue through February due to the milder winters. For most of the state, the period between January and February is considered the ideal time. The goal is to plant while the tree is not actively flushing new leaves, but also to give it several weeks of moderate temperatures before the daily highs consistently exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which causes heat stress.
Planting too late into the spring, such as after April, risks exposing the newly set tree to immediate summer heat before its roots are ready to support increased water demands. A second, less-preferred planting window exists in the fall, from mid-September to October, but this choice carries the risk that an early hard frost could damage the young tree. Therefore, the late winter to early spring timing is favored for maximum establishment success.
Preparing the Site for Satsuma Success
Satsuma trees require a location that receives full sun for optimal fruit production. This means a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day is necessary. The site must also offer excellent drainage, which is a significant challenge in much of Louisiana due to the prevalence of heavy clay soils. Citrus trees cannot tolerate standing water around their roots, as this quickly leads to root rot.
To counter poor internal drainage, it is recommended that Satsuma trees be planted on a raised mound or small berm. This mound should elevate the root crown 8 to 12 inches above the surrounding native soil level, providing the necessary aeration and drainage. The soil mixture used for the mound should be rich in organic matter and slightly acidic to neutral, ideally within a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
When preparing the site, the native soil can be amended with compost or pine bark fines to improve its texture and water percolation. The planting hole should be dug only slightly larger than the root ball of the container-grown tree. The tree should be set at the same depth it was growing in the nursery container, ensuring that the root flare is visible above the soil line of the newly constructed mound.
Crucial Care During the First Year
Proper post-planting care is necessary for a young Satsuma tree to survive its first year and develop a strong root system. Immediate, deep watering after planting is necessary to settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets. For the first few months, the tree needs consistent moisture, usually meaning deep watering once or twice a week, depending on rainfall, to encourage roots to grow outward.
Applying a layer of organic mulch, such as pine straw or wood chips, helps conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature. Keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup that could encourage fungal diseases or rodent damage. Newly planted trees should not receive fertilizer immediately; wait until new growth is observed in mid-March or early April before applying a balanced fertilizer like 8-8-8 or 13-13-13.
The most important survival factor in Louisiana is cold protection, as young Satsumas are vulnerable to temperatures in the upper 20s Fahrenheit. Before a predicted freeze, thoroughly watering the soil helps increase its heat retention, providing a slight cold buffer. Protection involves banking the lower trunk with soil or mulch up to two feet high, which protects the graft union so the tree can regrow if the top is damaged. The entire canopy should be covered with a heavy blanket or burlap, and strands of large-bulb incandescent Christmas lights can be woven through the branches to provide supplemental warmth beneath the covering.