So I just purchased some nice looking satsuma trees from a garden center. I know it's not ideal for my area, but the trees are on Carrizo Citrange (as opposed to PT). I'd like to plant them against the south side of the house but I'm wondering about spacing. They're currently about 5-6' tall and 3-4' wide. How large can I expect them to get? What would you suggest in terms of spacing?

The varieties are: Brown Select, Owari, and Mr Mac, all from Saxon Becnel Nursery.

Better count on at least 16 feet. I've visited Saxon/Bechnel. They are growing 500,000 trees. I bought 30 trees from them but won't buy anymore due to the rootstock. They are using carrizo for their own benefit as it grows a larger tree ready to sell than trifoliate in the same amount of time that brings more money. Large size sells. Few to none ask about rootstock when I sell trees.

>>> Few to none ask about rootstock when I sell trees.
That is sad Mr. Texas. Are they at least labeled "semi" or "standard"?

Nursery folks are always shocked that I am even aware of a rootstock name; if they keep chatting they soon realize I know more about their own stock of trees than they do. So many nurseries in central CA are clones of each other. Same exact stock from the same growers. What I hear various nursery staff spewing to everyone is identical, even if it's incorrect about certain varieties.

/End Rant


Correct me if I'm wrong, but pretty much any citrus variety that is grafted on Carrizo (assuming compatibility) will be med-large to large size (for a citrus tree, that is).

Therefore even slower growing, compact sized mandarins in zone 9+ under appropriate conditions, will eventually be over 14' feet tall -- such as Pixies, Kishu, and Satsumas? Wowever, whether they are upright (compact) or spreading (round/oval) is always dependent on the variety.

That sound right?

Bonnie (Buddinman) tells me that the new root stock Rich 16-6 produces a smaller tree than Rubidoux and is a lot easier to bud than Flying Dragon. - Millet (931-)