Mikan oranges are a variety of mandarin oranges.
They have loose skins, and seeds. The oranges range in size from 2 ½ to 3 inches (5 cm to 8 cm.)
The tree is frost hardy down to 25 F (4 C.) It blossoms in late April or May. The blossoms are white, with five petals. At the same time as the tree blossoms, it forms buds for next year’s blossoms.
In June, the tree drops about 60% of the developing fruit. The farmers are okay with this, though, as in the later summer they will thin more fruit out, anyway.
The fruit ripens from mid-September to early January. There are four main cultivars, listed in the order in which they ripen: goku wase, wase, nakate and okute (or Aoshima.)
They are grown particularly on Etajima and Osakishimojima islands in Japan. Many families pick their own as an activity.
The oranges are exported to Canada, but banned from the United States because of the possible presence of citrus pests.
They are also grown in Korea.
History Notes
Native to China.