Well, the Dancy mandarin is the variety that coined the term, "tangerine", as it was believed to have originated from Tangiers. It is an old variety, moderately seedy, good tasting, does not hang well on the tree, ripens around Jan-Dec here in S. Calif. It's an okay variety, but there are much better cultivars available here in S. Calif that have garnered a spot in my orchard.

Owari Satsuma is the most common satsuma mandarin cultivar you'll see around. They ripen from Oct to Dec. They have very few seeds (almost seedless), baggy skin, need to be cut from the tree or the skin will tear open. Sweet, more cold tolerant than many other cultivars. Very popular. They can take a few years to really mature into their good taste, tree has a pretty, drooping growth habit.

Patty S.

Thanks Patty

" tree has a pretty, drooping growth habit."

Any tree that droops is much easier to frost cover, if I ever take the satsuma route.

Steve