As Tet approaches, many chrysanthemum growers in Phu Yen are worried as the flowers bloom late – Photo: MINH CHIEN
On January 18th, Tuoi Tre Online visited Binh Kien flower village (Tuy Hoa City) and documented the concerns of chrysanthemum growers there.
As Tet (Vietnamese New Year) approaches, the chrysanthemums still refuse to bloom.
Although it's already past the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, about two-thirds of the 150 pots of chrysanthemums in Mr. Nguyen Van Hue's family garden have just started to sprout buds.
According to Mr. Hue, a pot of chrysanthemums, if they bloom in time for Tet (Lunar New Year), can sell for 270,000 - 300,000 VND, but he currently has 100 pots in his garden that cannot be sold during Tet. If sold after Tet, they will be cut into bouquets, with each flower stem costing 1,000 VND, meaning the whole pot would only fetch approximately 30,000 - 40,000 VND.
“This year the weather has been so unfavorable, selling them for 100,000 VND per pot is already a huge loss. I’m using chemicals and artificial lighting to stimulate the flowers to bloom in time for Tet, but it’s really difficult. It’s so sad, in previous years at this time the flowers would all be loaded onto trucks for traders to take away,” Mr. Hue worried.
People have to use flower-inducing chemicals, combined with artificial lighting, to make Tet chrysanthemums bloom early – Photo: MINH CHIEN
Meanwhile, Mr. Dang Thanh Duc, a chrysanthemum grower in Tuy Hoa City, said that due to the prolonged cold weather and lack of sunshine for many days at the end of this year, the chrysanthemums did not bloom in time for Tet.
"It takes farmers four months to grow beautiful chrysanthemums, but this year's crop has been hit by more than two months of rain and wind, with consistently overcast skies. The cost of this year's chrysanthemum crop has increased by 20% compared to the previous season, and now the growers are in a desperate situation because the plants are slow to bloom," Mr. Duc said.
Mr. Tran Van Tuyen, vice chairman of the Tuy Hoa City Farmers' Association, said: "Many gardeners have invested hundreds of millions of dong in growing flowers but have yet to reap profits. Apricot blossoms can be nurtured and sold the following year, but chrysanthemums cannot. People anticipated harsh weather this year due to the late arrival of spring, but they were still caught off guard. Currently, they are using various methods to try and stimulate chrysanthemum buds to bloom early."
The chrysanthemum buds for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) bloom slowly – Photo: MINH CHIEN
Kumquat trees are bearing abundant fruit, but the price is much lower than last Tet (Lunar New Year).
Besides chrysanthemums, kumquat trees are the second largest crop in Phu Yen province. Despite the prolonged cold weather this year, thanks to the care and investment of farmers, most kumquat orchards are bearing beautiful, abundant fruit. Currently, kumquat growers in the province have begun selling their produce to the market for Tet (Lunar New Year).
Mr. Pham Hoe, a kumquat grower in Tuy Hoa City, is busy tending his garden while also putting up signs advertising his kumquats for wholesale buyers.
“This year, the price of kumquats has dropped, and sales are slower than last year. Last year, they sold for over 300,000 VND per pot, but this year, a beautiful pot of kumquats sells for around 250,000 VND. Traders from Binh Duong, Dak Lak , and other places have come to inquire about buying, but they are not buying as much as last year. I have 300 pots of kumquats in my garden, so I sell them immediately to anyone who puts down a deposit, rather than waiting for the price to go up to avoid having too much unsold stock,” Mr. Hoe said.
Although kumquat prices are lower this year compared to last year, they still provide growers with a decent income – Photo: MINH CHIEN
According to Mr. Tran Van Tuyen, the province currently has more than 400 farmers growing flowers for sale during the Lunar New Year of 2025, with a total area of approximately 120 hectares.
Of these, there are over 30,000 pots of chrysanthemums, 14,000 pots of kumquats, 13,000 pots of apricot blossoms, and about 10,000 pots of other plants and flowers. Due to the prolonged rain in November and December, the percentage of flowers blooming in time for Tet (Lunar New Year) is low. Currently, flower growers are actively caring for the plants and flowers to ensure they thrive and attract buyers.
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