I posted this on the Cold Hardy forum but did not get any replies. Maybe someone here could take a crack at it.

Mr. Texas wrote this.

"Satsuma
This would be the best. One bad thing about satsumas is they take so many years before good fruit quality, at least 5-7 years. Before then they are puffy/dry."

I have heard others mention this too. I have been researching citrus selections for a while now and have come upon some interesting things. One is that if you graft a grapefruit that is of fruit bearing age (12-15 years) unto new rootstock the new plant will produce within a few years.

IF this is true, What would happen if you grafted a older Satsuma one that is bearing quality fruit onto new rootstock. Would that cut down on the lenght of time that is required to produce fruit that is not dry and puffy?

Thanks,

Charles, you do that anyway. Unless there is a special circumstance that would cause you to graft juvenile wood to rootstock, all grafts use mature wood capable of fruiting. The additional years after grafting are to allow the tree to grow and gain the resources to maintain fruit. In the couple years after the graft, the tree may flower and possibly fruit. but since the tree is young and not well established, the fruit is of lower quality. At least that is how I have understood it.

Barbara

That is the general theory, but my owari satsuma had 1 fruit for the first 2 yrs after planting then had about a dozen last yr and they were not puffy and dry. They were not my favorite last yr, but not bad. They may improve some more as the tree gets more established, but I would not throw them out if they are at least as good as what I got last yr.

Thanks for the replies,

I guess I should just hope for good fruit in four years. Citrus growing seems to be a young mans game. Good thing I have a bearing grapefruit tree already.