Beni Amanatsu – Citrus aurantium

Description

Description

Beni Amanatsu (Citrus aurantium) is a Japanese variety of Citrus. ‘Amanatsu’ (甘夏), means ‘sweet summer’ in Japanese. Amanatsu was first discovered in 1935 in Oita prefecture, and is believed to be a mutation of the variety atsudaidai. Beni Amanatsu is a bud sport of the original Amanatsu variety, and has skin with a deeper orange color and is slightly less bitter than the original Amanatsu mikan. Amanatsu is relatively cold tolerant, similar to satsuma.

Amanatsu fruit balance sweetness and acidity, with light bitterness, and begin to ripen in early Summer. They can hold on the tree for some months further gathering more sweetness. The fruits are easy to peel and are ideal for juicing, as well as being able to be used for marmalade.

Amanatsu seeds are highly polyembryonic, so almost all seedlings will be the exact Amanatsu variety, with few off-types. See our article on Nucellar embryony for further explanation.

Seeds per packet: 20

Germination Instructions

Upon receipt of these Citrus seeds, either:

1. Soak them in water for a few days until they swell. After soaking for a few days (with a few water changes), plant the seeds directly into a seed raising mix, and keep warm, and they will sprout after 2-3 weeks.
2. Direct sow into seed raising mix, misting regularly for about a week to ensure the seeds are well hydrated. Keep warm, and they will sprout after 2-3 weeks.

These seeds were treated with Thiram fungicide (bright green) before export, so make sure to wash your hands after touching them.