# How to Water an Owari Satsuma
Originally from China but taken to Japan where they were raised for their fruits, satsuma trees (Citrus unshiu or Citrus reticulata) are among the most cold-hardy citrus plants. The Owari is an ancient cultivar developed in Japan that produces glossy, orange-skinned fruits with few seeds, sweet flesh and a slightly flattened, round shape. Owari satsumas, also called mandarin oranges, bruise easily after harvest. Proper irrigation, through the heat of summer, ensures good development of the fruits for harvest before early winter.
Things You'll Need
- Soaker hoses or garden hose with nozzle
- Watering can or bucket
Instructions
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Apply enough water to your Owari satsuma tree to moisten the soil to a depth of 3 feet. Sandy soils drain water more quickly, so water penetration occurs faster compared to garden soils that are heavy loam or clay. All citrus trees must have well-drained soils; soggy soils suffocate roots and encourage deadly fungal rot diseases. Full-sun locations promote healthy growth and help dry out the plant and soil after rains and irrigation.
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2
Place a matrix of soaker hoses under the branching canopy of your satsuma tree so water can drip down into the root zone. The actively growing and absorbing roots of a citrus tree lie 2 feet within the reach of the branch tips to 3 feet beyond the branch tips -- the root zone. Keep the hoses at least 8 inches away from the tree trunk because wetness on the trunk can cause rot and promote disease. If you do not use soaker hoses, the root zone is where a garden hose nozzle head or sprinkling can's water must be distributed.
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3
Provide 3 to 7 inches of water to your Owari satsuma tree's root zone every time you irrigate. This amount of water will soak in to moisten the top 2 to 3 feet of soil where the roots lie. Do not over-water the tree. Let the soil dry out slightly in between waterings. An infrequent, deep watering is better than numerous, regular shallow applications as they promote shallow root development.
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Reduce irrigation to the tree from fall to early spring when the days are shorter, the sunlight less intense and temperatures are cooler. Keep the soil barely moist to slightly dry during this semi-dormant time of year. Increase watering to maintain evenly moist soil from spring to early fall when it's much warmer and the tree is flowering, growing new leaves and shoots and its fruits are developing. Let the soil dry out before watering again and if there is no rainfall. Do not simply rely on a rigid schedule to arbitrarily irrigate; monitor the soil to determine if water is needed.
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