Any of you guys have any experience with this cultivar? I’m considering it as my early season mandarin but am having a hard time finding solid information about it, especially it’s cold tolerance.

Thanks and best,

Skinn30a

It is NOT cold tolerant.
They grow it in hothouses in Japan.

As with most mandarins it should be hardy to at least 8b.

Well crud... I'm looking to get a full season of Mandarins and I was hoping to use this one as my Early. I read that Bonnie Childers recommends the Armstrong Early but I keep hearing disappointing review of it in my region.

Early: Shiranui or Armstrong Early
Mid: Owari or Silverhill
Late: Gold Nugget

It's important to me that my choices are very cold tolerant b/c I know that I'm going to get smoked by a cold snap one of these days.

Best,

Skinn30a

Miyagawa is a excellent early season satsuma.

Sweet! Thanks Laaz! By "early", how much earlier are these than the Owari?

Skinn, I would contact Stan at McKenzie Farms for the best early satsuma. There are some better choices than Armstrong Early. I'm growing Okitsu Wase and Miho Wase satsumas, which are both earlier than Owari. Ready in October, versus December for Owari. There is St. Anne satsuma, which is ripe in September that might be an option for you. Also LA Early. I think the jury is still out on the Dekopon on the east coast, as it is still very new. Here is Stan's web site:

http://mckenzie-farms.com/photo.htm

He is probably one of the best persons to comment on cold hardiness and quality for satsumas.

My Miyagawa is ready by mid Sept.

Stan can not ship to FL.

Yes, but Stan could give some suggestions about St. Anne or LA Early I think? Miyagawa is another very good cultivar, not quite as early as either of the above, but I think maybe a bit better tasting. Laaz, do you have either St. Anne or LA Early to compare?

I have both St. Anne & LA Early, both of which are ready around the same time as Miyagawa. Miyagawa is better than both.

The earliest (mature in September) mandarin (satsuma) that I know of is Xie Shan. Most everyone acclaims Xie Shan to be among the very best tasting citrus available. - Millet

I'm planning on grafting up some Xie Shan, Millet, based on your reports plus Phillip's in Ramona, CA, have convinced me to add this variety, so it's going to be one of my guinea pigs for my first citrus grafting. I have to decide what other varieties I want to order from CCPP this January as well. I have some rootstock on the way, so I want to try a few different cultivars that I don't have and can't get from any retailer. Xie Shan is top of the list.

Patty, you said you would like a greenhouse. Here is a greenhouse for you.

http://luxurygreenhouses.com/?gclid=CKy9t-WW-LMCFWGnPAody3AArw

Millet

It is really a GreenHOUSE !
I would live in it ..

Oh my GOSH, Millet! That is spectacular. Can you imagine? I'd love to have that. And attached to the house. Heaven. One can only dream