Caring for peach blossoms to welcome Tet

Old peach trees, carefully tended, pruned, and grafted by gardeners, have high economic value.

These days, along the peach orchards in hamlets 6, 7, 9, and 17 of Tham May village in Chieng Sinh ward, the atmosphere is bustling with activity. Peach growers are taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to care for and closely monitor the development of flower buds. With the leap year, the growing season is extended, and without experience and proper techniques, peach blossoms can easily bloom earlier or later than desired, directly affecting the quality and value of the peach trees for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Currently, Chiềng Sinh ward has over 40 households growing peach trees, with a total area of over 10 hectares. Peach trees have become a characteristic crop, closely linked to the economic lives of many households, especially during the Lunar New Year. Beyond its spiritual significance, the peach blossom crop for Tet (Lunar New Year) is also a source of income, contributing to the restructuring of crop production and improving the lives of local people.

Farmers in Group 7, Chieng Sinh Ward, share techniques for caring for peach blossom trees for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Leading us on a tour of her nearly 3,000 m² peach orchard, Ms. Ninh Thi Sinh, one of the peach growers in Group 7, Chieng Sinh Ward, owns more than 400 peach trees of various types. Ms. Sinh shared: "The leap year extends the peach tree's growth period, so we have to closely monitor the weather daily. When it's warm, we limit watering to inhibit bud development; when it's cold, we cover the base of the trees, add potassium fertilizer, and water with warm water to stimulate even bud growth. To ensure the peaches bloom at the right time, growers must 'live and breathe' the orchard, observing every small change in the trees to make timely adjustments."

Farmers are investing in automated irrigation systems to save water and labor.

Having been involved in peach tree cultivation for over 20 years, the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Chinh, also residing in Group 7, Chieng Sinh Ward, currently cares for approximately 500 peach trees of various types. About 50% of these are ornamental and ancient peach trees that have been pre-ordered by customers. Ms. Chinh was born and raised in the Nhat Tan flower-growing village in Van Tao Commune, Hanoi City. Therefore, the experience accumulated from this traditional craft, when brought to Son La province and combined with the suitable soil and climate conditions, has helped her family's peach orchard grow steadily, with beautiful shapes and long-lasting flowers.

Ms. Chinh shared: "The market for peach blossom trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) has become increasingly diverse in recent years. People who buy peach blossom trees are not only concerned with the flowers blooming at the right time, but also pay attention to the shape, durability, and feng shui significance of each tree. Each peach blossom tree in my family's garden costs between 3 and 10 million VND. In years with favorable weather and beautiful blossoms, my family can earn between 500 and 700 million VND each Tet season."

Besides selling cut peach blossoms, Ms. Chinh's family also provides care and rental services for ornamental and ancient peach trees at prices ranging from 1 to 4 million VND per tree per year. However, to achieve economic efficiency, peach growers must invest effort year-round, from selecting seeds, preparing the soil, fertilizing, to shaping, pruning, and pest control. "Every year, my family dedicates about 200 peach trees to participate in the spring flower fair at Tay Bac Square. This is both an opportunity to introduce our products and a chance to exchange and learn from other growers," Ms. Chinh added.

The peach trees, densely covered with buds, are carefully and meticulously tended to, waiting for them to bloom just in time for the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse.

According to gardeners, compared to many northern provinces, peach trees grown in Son La are considered well-suited to the soil and climate conditions, resulting in good growth and outstanding flower quality. Son La peach blossoms have large flowers, thick petals, plump buds, a deep pink color, and long-lasting blooms, making them popular with customers. Not only serving the needs of local residents, in recent years, gardeners in Chieng Sinh have also been accepting orders for planting and caring for peach trees from customers in provinces and cities such as Hung Yen, Hanoi, Hai Phong , Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An. This demonstrates the growing reputation and quality of Chieng Sinh peach blossoms in the market.

The peach blossoms from Son La are large, with thick petals, plump buds, and a deep, long-lasting pink color, making them popular with customers.

Peach cultivation is a suitable occupation for the local natural conditions, bringing clear economic benefits and having great potential for future development. Peach trees not only provide farmers with a stable source of income but also contribute to creating a beautiful landscape and building a distinctive image of the locality every time Tet (Lunar New Year) and spring arrive.

Mr. Le Hong Viet, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieng Sinh Ward, emphasized: Chieng Sinh Ward has identified peach cultivation as a promising direction for agricultural economic development. However, this profession requires growers to have experience, master cultivation techniques, and proactively respond to weather changes. In the coming time, the ward will continue to coordinate with specialized agencies to organize training and transfer advanced techniques, while encouraging peach growers to cooperate, share experiences, and gradually build the Chieng Sinh peach brand.

Farmers in group 9, Chiềng Sinh ward, are tending to their peach blossom trees for Tet (Lunar New Year).

With careful preparation by the orchard owners and the right guidance from the local government, peach cultivation in Chieng Sinh is gradually establishing itself as a lucrative profession, contributing to a warm and fulfilling spring atmosphere for the people here every time Tet (Lunar New Year) comes around.

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