So I've started an espalier project with three trees: eureka lemon, trovita orange and the owari satsuma. The lemon is taking off like a weed as expected and the orange is finally starting to put on some growth after the initial lopping off.

I'm having second thoughts about the Satsuma. It's a semi-dwarf (as are the rest, or at least they are Four Winds "true dwarf"--i.e., not flying dragon). But I've been thinking (as I watch the tree sulk) about the slow growth rate of owari satsuma and its rather modest eventual size.

Should I have chosen a standard instead for this variety?

Should be an experience. I believe Dylan said that they use cuban shaddock as their dwarfing rootstock.

It will be interesting to follow your progress with three totally different varieties. I would say the lemon is going to far out distance the other two.

Keep a photo journal of your progress.

Planted in line, North to South, 6 feet apart, 3 Owaris on Trifoliate have been trained with a central leader tied to verticle, galvanized, electrical conduit, and have reached a pruned-at-9 ft maximum height. Cords tied along the conduits are used as puppeteer lines to keep branches at preferred heights and spacing. Along the wait, the original 1/2" conduit was eventually upgraded with a 3/4" pc slid on top, which was later upgraded with the final, thicker section on top. The tops of all 3 are linked via 2 - 6 ft horizontal section of the 1/2" conduit with 4" long bent-90 degrees-downward ends, and 50+ MPH winds did no damage to the 3.Any side branches that become too long get trimmed. Each year they produce lots of satsumas, despite taking up a small area.Due to difficulty picking fruit from the prior managed height of 11 ft, the 9 ft height is an improvement for this location. If you have the patience to wait for a dwarf r/s to eevveennttuuaallyy grow the Owari up to a tree of size, hats off to you. A dozen years was way too long for me with the Trifoliate.Microwave generation issues.

oy....that's what I was afraid of.....

Well. Costco has citrus on sale right now. Maybe I better run over there tomorrow and see if they have a standard Owari.

Costco does have citrus for sale right now, but I didnt see any satsuma trees. They had pixie, page, clementine, tango, w. murcott, cara cara, navels, bears lime, and gold nuggets. But maybe they will have some at your costco. Good luck.