Position:
The Empress Naartjie thrives in a warm, sunny position and performs best with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. A sheltered position protected from strong winds and severe frost is ideal.
Good sunlight supports healthy growth, flowering, fruit development, and sweetness.
Size:
Depending on the rootstock, soil, climate, and care, your dwarf Empress Naartjie can grow to approximately 2 metres tall, with a naturally rounded canopy.
Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens, and it can also be grown successfully in a large container.
Soil Type:
Naartjie trees grow best in fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, ideally with a pH of approximately 5.5 to 6.5.
Adding acid compost can improve the soil and create the slightly acidic conditions citrus prefers.
Good drainage is essential. If your soil is heavy or drains poorly, improve the planting area or plant the tree on a slightly raised mound to prevent water from collecting around the roots.
Improve soil quality by adding half a bag of Volcanic Rock Dust (R25 per bag) for minerals and trace elements, and a bag of Superfrass (R25 per bag) at planting to boost nutrients (NPK and micronutrients) and support strong, healthy growth while also helping protect against pests.
The Empress Naartjie, also known as the old Transvaal Naartjie, is a traditional favourite known for its exceptionally sweet, juicy fruit and thick, easy-to-peel skin. Unlike many modern seedless mandarins, Empress Naartjies do contain seeds, but their wonderful old-fashioned flavour makes them an excellent eating naartjie.
Our Empress Naartjie trees are grafted, which means they mature and begin producing fruit much sooner than seed-grown trees. Under suitable growing conditions, they can start fruiting approximately 1 to 2 years after planting, with crops increasing as the tree matures.
The dwarf Empress Naartjie grows to about 2 metres tall, making it an excellent choice for home gardens and smaller spaces. It is relatively easy to grow and performs best in full sun, well-drained soil and a warm climate.
The fruit is best enjoyed fresh from the tree, when the skin has developed its characteristic orange colour and the flesh is beautifully sweet and juicy.
Mulching:
Apply approximately 5 cm of pine bark mulch around the tree to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and suppress weeds.
Keep the mulch approximately 10 to 15 cm away from the trunk. Avoid piling mulch directly against the bark, as constant moisture around the trunk can encourage rot and disease.
Watering:
Water your Empress Naartjie regularly while it is establishing and during flowering and fruit development. Water deeply and let the upper layer of soil dry slightly before watering again.
Increase watering during hot, dry spring and summer weather, particularly for container-grown trees, but avoid keeping the soil constantly wet.
Good drainage is essential, as overwatering and waterlogged soil can lead to root problems.
Fertilising:
To get the most out of your Empress Naartjie tree, feed it with fertiliser in spring and summer. If the leaves start to yellow, your plant may not have enough magnesium. Apply a little Epsom salts to the drip line of the tree (where the leaves extend their reach) Utilising our slow-release fertiliser is a must for citrus; even though it is called berry fertiliser it is for all plants/trees.
Yellowing leaves can indicate a nutrient deficiency, but magnesium is not always the cause. Iron or nitrogen deficiency, incorrect soil pH, poor drainage, and overwatering can also cause citrus leaves to yellow. Identify the likely cause before applying Epsom salts or additional fertiliser.
Pruning:
Empress Naartjie requires relatively little pruning. Prune when necessary to maintain a manageable size and attractive shape and to remove dead, damaged, diseased, crossing or overcrowded branches.
Avoid unnecessary or heavy pruning, particularly while the tree is young, as removing too much healthy foliage can reduce growth and future fruit production.
Remove any vigorous shoots or suckers that develop below the graft union, as these originate from the rootstock rather than the Empress Naartjie.
Pest and Disease Management:
Watch for common citrus pests including aphids, citrus psylla, scale insects and mites. Citrus greening is a serious disease associated with infected citrus psyllids, so investigate suspicious symptoms promptly.
.Spraying regularly with Agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control ) will assist in either prevention or after the fact. If you already have aphids or mites, wash the tree with a harsh hose, and when dry, spray with Neem oil or EM Control.
Practice good garden hygiene by removing fallen fruit, leaves and diseased plant material. Avoid overwatering and ensure good drainage to reduce the risk of root rot and fungal diseases, particularly during prolonged wet periods.
Harvesting:
Empress Naartjies are ready to harvest when they have developed their characteristic orange colour, juicy flesh and sweet flavour.
Do not rely on skin colour alone, as citrus can sometimes develop good colour before reaching its best eating quality. Pick one fruit and taste it before harvesting the remainder of the crop.
Naartjies do not continue to ripen or become sweeter after being picked, so for the best flavour, allow the fruit to mature fully on the tree.
