Satsuma 
Japanese Plum
 
Fruit ripening time: January - February 
 
A blood plum with a sweet, rich flavour and a little tartness. The flesh is firm and quite juicy. 
 
Medium to large sized, round fruit. A deep-red coloured skin and a dark red flesh. A freestone variety.
 
A vigorous tree with an upright growth habit. Produces a good crop size. In good years, fruit may require thinning. 
 
Uses: Fresh eating, great for jams and preserves, baking and drying. 
 
Satsuma is partially self-fertile, but pollination is improved with a pollination partner.   
 
Pollinators: Santa Rosa, Mariposa. 
 
Tree Size: Approximately 3 - 5 m tall and 4 m wide, depending on the shape.
 
Tree Care:
For best results plant in full sun, in fertile, free draining soil, preferably a friable loam with good aeration. 
 
If the soil is free draining, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, plant the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the soil line and back fill with a soil and compost mixture. If the soil is not free draining, plant the tree in a raised mound of soil and compost mix, to prevent water logging.
 
Choose a sheltered position, out of strong winds. 
 
Water in well at planting, and water regularly, especially in dry spells. Young trees will benefit from being mulched. Apply mulch in a ring around the tree base, keeping clear of the trunk.
 
Plums are produced on spurs on 2-year and older wood. Prune in dry weather in winter, to shape your tree and develop a good framework.