From an initial 100 seedlings, Mr. Huynh Van Anh has propagated hundreds of thousands of seedlings and distributed them to the people. Currently, hundreds of thousands of chrysanthemum seedlings are experiencing delays in budding.
Baskets of chrysanthemum flowers that failed to bud were uprooted and left to wither by locals in Long Thoi commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province - Photo: MAU TRUONG
'I feel very guilty'
On November 18th, a delegation from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development visited the chrysanthemum growing area in Long Thoi commune (Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province) that was experiencing slow budding. While some gardens had been abandoned after all hope was lost, the remaining plants were still being cared for according to the agricultural sector's guidelines.
Thousands of pots of chrysanthemum seedlings uprooted: What does the seedling supplier say?
Presenting to the delegation led by Mr. Huynh Quang Duc - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province - Mr. Huynh Van Anh said that last year, after seeing a friend's beautiful flowering plant, he took 100 seedlings home to propagate.
"By June 2024, I had propagated over 100,000 seedlings using the cutting method and sold them to farmers for 1,000 VND each."
"I sold about 70,000 seedlings to my relatives and friends, and about 40,000-50,000 seedlings to other households. Now that this has happened, I feel very guilty and hope everyone will forgive me!" Mr. Anh said.
Besides selling seedlings, Mr. Anh himself has also grown about 7,000 pots of the new variety of chrysanthemum. To date, thousands of his pots of chrysanthemums have shared the same fate, being slow to bud.
"A few days ago, the agricultural department of Cho Lach district came to the garden to guide us on using chemicals to induce flowering. So far, we've seen results; the flowers have started to branch and differentiate flower buds. However, there's a possibility the flowers won't bloom in time for sale to the Northern market, only enough for local markets," Mr. Anh said.
Mr. Huynh Van Anh (in the middle) said that last year, after seeing a friend's beautiful flowering plant, he took 100 seedlings to propagate and then sell to other people - Photo: MAU TRUONG
We will provide support to affected farmers with seedlings and technical assistance.
Mr. Huynh Quang Duc, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province, said that after the phenomenon of chrysanthemum plants being slow to branch and flower bud differentiated, the agricultural sector assigned specialized departments to the scene to examine, monitor, and provide support measures for the people.
"Based on our assessment of the situation and our monitoring over time, we can now confirm that the reason hundreds of thousands of chrysanthemum plants are slow to bloom is due to the use of substandard seeds. After a period of treatment to induce flowering, some plants are now able to bloom, but others show no signs of blooming at all," Mr. Duc said.
In the long term, according to Mr. Duc, it is necessary to manage the quality of seed sources. Currently, Ben Tre province has a seed and ornamental plant project and is in the implementation phase.
Specifically, Ben Tre province has been using tissue culture methods for planting chrysanthemum varieties. After two years of implementation, the province's agricultural sector has yielded promising results with a 100% bud-forming rate and the elimination of diseases affecting this flower.
Previously, many gardeners in Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province, had to uproot thousands of chrysanthemum pots because they were slow to bud, and switch to growing short-term flower varieties to be ready for sale during Tet 2025. These gardeners all obtained the flower seeds from an acquaintance; initially, the flowers grew very well, but the budding stage was slower than with traditional varieties.
According to locals, they have invested about 25,000 VND in each basket of chrysanthemum flowers, and if the flowers don't bloom, they will lose everything.
Mr. Huynh Quang Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province, said that for farmers who suffered losses during this year's flower season, the seed center and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province will have support policies in the coming time. Besides providing seedlings, they will also support farmers with technical measures, such as seed selection and preservation methods.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hang-ngan-gio-cuc-mam-xoi-o-ben-tre-bi-nho-bo-nguoi-cung-cap-cay-giong-xin-loi-ba-con-20241118124109032.htm
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