Had my first harvest of satsuma mandarins. Boy were they ever tasty! In Sept of 2007 I purchased a 1 gallon size Owari Satsuma from Stan at McKenzie Farms. It bloomed in the Spring of 2008 and bore fruit in the Winter of 08/09 (it takes longer up North).

Since it was my first harvest, I didn't know when to pick, so I kept waiting for the skin to feel puffy and then the first one rotted on the tree, so I waited no more. The rest were sweet and juicy and easy to peel. However, the skin on my tree never did get puffy. It stayed tight the whole time.

I'm very happy with my tree, especially since I hear that satsumas get better with age. I didn't know what to expect since I wasn't sure if i could give it enough heat to do what it had to do.

Congratulations, on your first harvest, May there be many more. Your satsuma's most likely were eatable while they were still green, and for sure just as soon as they turned orange. - Millet (1,434-)

Thank you millet. I'm looking forward to the next time I can eat another satsuma mandarin. Then I'll be braver and try them right after they turn orange. The time after that I might try them when they're still a little green. I'll be proceeding causiously.

I liked them so much that I'm thinking about possibly getting a larger tree.

Well congrats Theresa! I haven't gotten one yet. Maybe I should order a tree from Stan.

Hi Patty! I'm seriouly thinking of ordering another one, too, but this time a 3 gallon size. Not sure if he carries them regularly, but he does carry them. This little one needs a rest after it's fine harvest.

How are your trees doing? I kinda forgot which ones you have. How's your palm tree?

Palms are fine- just starting to grow again. That is amazing you got fruit so soon with only a 1 gal pot! All the blossoms on satsuma fell off so I never got fruit - for 4 years now! Stan brought a bag of his satsumas at 06 expo so I got to taste them.
I think the limequat is dead, and it was doing so good early winter...even had fruits on, but I keep trying. Others are doing great.
I saw the pics you posted of your yard on Brug forum. I could see the Rock river in back. You have a beautiful yard!!! Wish I had all that space.`No wonder your kitty loves it there.
Here's to a better year for brugs, citrus & figs.

I know, I was amazed that it fruited with 5 fruits. Letting it keep 5 fruits was plant abuse, but I just had to taste it. This year I will just let it grow and recover and get a larger one from Stan so I can have some fruit every year. I wish I had taken pictures.

This year we will be getting a grill, so you and Mike need to come over.

In our area, SE Texas in October we start feeling the fruit when it softens up, even thought the skin is still green it is time to start sampling. The sugar content will be up and it sweeten up after there are a few night below 50 degrees F.

OK Theresa, we heard it from a citrus guru. When we get fruits that begin to soften, we give them a 'chilling' session to sweeten them. Isn't that what we do to men to sweeten them LOL?
Mike & I will bring banana daiquiris!!

Patty, you're a hoot. And so knowledgeable.
Banana daiquiris sound excellent.