I Planted A Satsuma Mandarin Tree In A Pot!
For the longest time, I wanted to grow a citrus fruit tree in my garden. I’ve grown a lemon tree but never a citrus fruit, and it just so happened that last week, I was at the nursery when I stumbled upon a handful of citrus fruit trees! It’s spring in my part of the world, which is also the perfect time for sowing seeds and transferring plants or trees for full growth. Needless to say, I bought one and planted a satsuma mandarin tree in a pot.
My hesitation to grow a mandarin tree at home was because of space. There’s not enough sunshine in my backyard, and the front yard is mostly tarred and cemented.
But I got the idea to plant a mandarin tree in a pot from the nursery because there was literally a tree that was about 3 to 4 years old with fruits on it!
Here’s a picture of that exact mandarin tree in a pot.
I just assumed that most citrus fruit trees don’t grow and bear fruits in a pot. Seeing one in person was all the convincing I needed, and now I’m hoping to grow and harvest satsuma mandarins in a few years.
How I Planted A Mandarin Tree In A Pot
When it comes to planting a mandarin tree in a pot, the quality and composition of the soil are most important. For this satusma mandarin tree, I used a mixture of potting soil, compost, and soil from my garden in equal parts.
I tested the pH level to make sure that it was ideal for a citrus tree. The pot that I used could hold about 20 to 30 kg of soil, which was more than enough for this tree to thrive.
Take a look at the composition of the soil:
Once I filled the pot with soil, it was time to insert the satsuma mandarin tree inside.
But, before doing so, I dug up a hole and made sure that the soil was moist and had adequate drainage.
Also, I only went about 15 inches deep to ensure that the roots could have enough space to grow and travel over the months to come. The pot itself is about 3 feet deep, which is perfect for how big this tree will grow.
I added more soil on top and finished off with a layer of fertilizer before watering. That’s all it took for me to plant a satsuma mandarin tree in a pot.
It’s been almost a week since we transferred the tree, and it seems to be adjusting. I had noticed the leaves were beginning to droop around day two, but that resolved, and it looks healthy so far.
I’ll be sure to post a few updates over the next couple of months to report on the progress.
I really want this to work because it would be so awesome to harvest fresh mandarins in a few years!
FAQ
What Is The Difference Between Oranges, Clementines, and Satsuma Mandarin?
From my research, I’ve learned that satsuma mandarins are considered to be the juiciest citrus fruits, with a balanced sweet but tart flavor. These mandarins grow quite large in size, not too dissimilar to oranges, but are the easiest to peel due to their soft, loose skin.
How Long Does It Take For A Satsuma Mandarin Tree To Bear Fruit?
It takes approximately 3 to 8 years for satsuma mandarin trees to reach full maturity and bear fruits. This period will vary depending on the stage at which you plant a satsuma mandarin tree into a pot or into the ground. Climate, quality of soil, environment, and sunlight exposure will also affect the rate at which these citrus trees will grow and mature.
Are Satsuma Mandarins Self-Pollinating, Or Do I Need Multiple Trees For Fruit Production?
Yes, satsuma mandarin trees are self pollinating which means that pollen from flowers from the same tree are used for pollination by bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects.
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