A University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) publication
evaluates 12 early-maturing satsuma varieties and compares them to Owari to determine which ones may be best suited for Georgia. While Owari — harvestable late October through mid-November — is the most popular variety grown in Georgia, growers have an increasing interest in earlier-maturing citrus.
The early-maturing varieties evaluated are Iwasaki, LA Early, Early St. Ann, Brown Select, Miyamoto, Okistu Wase, Miho Wase, Miho, China S-9, Ueno, Xie Shan and Miyagawa.
The publication — Comparing Early-Maturing Satsumas to Owari in Southern Georgia — reports on factors including Brix, acid and fruit color. Conclusions from the publication are as follows:
The planting site and tree management practices can affect the internal quality of fruit. For example, on one site that contained most of the varieties tested, the average Brix was lower for every variety at that location compared to the fruit tested of the same varieties at different locations in both years. Observations from evaluating Brix from satsuma fruit at multiple locations show that the Brix levels vary from site to site.
Each growing season is different. Fruit may ripen earlier in some years and later in other years. For example, Owari trees tested in mid-October of 2022 and 2023 had an average Brix of 9.9 and titratable acidity (TA) of 0.74, which means the fruit was mature by mid-October. This is at least a couple of weeks earlier than what is typical for Owari.
For comparison, Owari fruit tested from 50 trees (250 fruit) in mid-October of 2024 had Brix of 8.4 and TA of 0.98. The Owari fruit was not harvest-ready by mid-October in 2024 and needed at least two weeks more on the tree.
Of the early varieties tested, Miho had the highest Brix at the end of September. By mid-October, the Brix of all varieties tested was over 9.0, with Miho Wase, Miho and Miyagawa being over 10.0. Iwasaki became noticeably bigger and puffier than the others in both years, so it should be avoided. The rest of the early-maturing satsuma varieties evaluated warrant more attention as they produce fruit of acceptable internal and external quality earlier in the season compared to Owari.
Source: UGA CAES
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