Availability varies — please call or email to confirm.
Plum Satsuma
$50.00
The Satsuma plum is a vigorous Japanese cultivar (Prunus salicina) famous for its deep, purplish-red skin and rich, sweet blood-red flesh. It is a prized heirloom and favorite for home gardens, universally celebrated as an exceptional fruit for fresh eating, preserves, and jams.
First introduced from Japan in 1885 and popularized by Luther Burbank, the Satsuma is a quintessential “blood plum”. The deciduous tree grows with an upright, somewhat willowy and spreading habit, reaching heights of 3 to 6 meters depending on the rootstock. In early spring, the tree bursts into a flush of fragrant white blossoms. The plums themselves are medium to large, often round or heart-shaped. They feature mottled, dark maroon-red skin and dense, meaty, completely red interior flesh that holds an intensely sweet, juicy, and mildly tart flavor. They ripen mid-season, typically around February in New Zealand and late summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Climate & Hardiness: Performs well in a wide variety of climates but thrives in full sun with a northern, sheltered aspect. It has a low chill hour requirement (approx. 300 hours) and does best when protected from late spring frosts.
Soil: Prefers deep, fertile, and free-draining soil, though it is more adaptable to heavier, clay-like soils than many other stone fruits.
Pollination: Although partially self-fertile, it crops much heavier when planted alongside a compatible Japanese pollinator. Excellent companion trees include Santa Rosa, Shiro, or Beauty.
Spacing: Plant trees 4 to 5 meters apart to ensure proper airflow and room to grow.
Maintenance: Apply a slow-release or organic fertilizer in early spring. Prune annually in late winter while the tree is dormant to remove dead wood, open the canopy to sunlight, and maintain manageable tree size.
Watering: Keep the tree well-watered, especially in the first few years until established, and use mulch to conserve soil moisture.
