In the flower-growing region of Da Lat , imported varieties are no longer the main trend for Tet flowers this year; instead, local varieties using advanced technology are becoming more popular.
Orchids from the Da Lat flower region have started to be sold - Photo: MV
The Tet flower products from Da Lat are becoming quite clear with only about two weeks left before the peak Tet flower sales season begins.
Old wine in new bottles
In Hiep An commune ( Duc Trong district) - the largest gladiolus growing area in Lam Dong province - farmers are busy tending to the flowers in preparation for the upcoming harvest.
Unlike famous flower-growing areas in Da Lat such as Van Thanh and Ha Dong, which grow flowers year-round, farmers in Hiep An only cultivate gladiolus at the end of the year. This year, for the Tet flower season, many people from other regions have come to Hiep An to rent land for short periods to grow gladiolus.
Mr. Lai The Hung, vice president of the Da Lat Flower Association, said: "Potted flowers have become a popular Tet flower shopping trend due to the increased number of residents staying in large cities compared to previous years. This group of customers mostly owns small apartments, so they need versatile flowers: for decorating living rooms, offerings, or placing on balconies of rooms..."
This year, the production of potted and cut flowers for Tet (Lunar New Year) is quite balanced. Whether it's potted or cut flowers, there's an interesting trend this year: imported varieties aren't the preferred choice for flower enthusiasts or producers. Refreshing familiar flower types has become the trend for Tet flowers this year.
According to the Da Lat City Economic Department, flowers such as winter cherry blossoms, American apricot blossoms, irises, lilies, vinca, mandevilla, lavender, South African orchids, astilbe, and trumpet lilies... belonging to temperate flower species, with affordable prices under 250,000 VND/pot, are imported and offered for sale, but not in as large quantities as in previous years.
The difficulty in importing both seeds and flowers has prompted gardeners and farm owners to invest in familiar flower varieties, even those considered "traditional" or "rustic," such as dahlias, begonias, lilies, banana flowers, kalanchoe, chrysanthemums, etc.
The investment can be recognized when growers invest in seedlings to produce smaller plants compared to the original variety. This production method is suitable for selling to a larger market of middle- or upper-middle-income residents who own small houses or apartments.
Although the flowers are of the old variety, most have undergone advanced technical interventions to make them bloom larger and have different colors compared to the original variety; sometimes, multiple flowers in a single pot can have different colors...
Mr. Nguyen Duc Dat (a farmer from Ward 7, Da Lat) said: "After investing in reviving old flower varieties, we found this to be an interesting approach because the way we create the products evokes memories of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) of the past. Although the varieties are familiar, there are still unique aspects in the flower color and size to create a sense of surprise."
According to the Department of Industry and Trade of Lam Dong province, some businesses that were pursuing imported seed programs are now switching to domestic seeds but investing in applying new cultivation technologies to produce new products.
The unit stated that Kala lilies, a popular European variety in the last four years, are not being grown this year. Tulips are also not widely available in flower markets this Lunar New Year.
High-tech potted flowers for an early Tet (Lunar New Year) season.
High-end potted flowers originating from Da Lat have begun to be sold for Tet (Lunar New Year). Sales are bustling and lively, even though Tet 2025 is still more than three weeks away.
The Da Lat flower region has received its first shipments, marking the start of the peak season for the Tet flower market. Currently, dozens of workers at Ysa Orchid Farm in Da Ron commune, Don Duong district, are busy packing and transporting flowers to meet demand from trucks heading to northern provinces.
According to Mr. Ha So Rem (technical staff of Ysa Orchid Farm Da Ron), the farm currently packs about 150 boxes (20 pots/box) of various types of phalaenopsis orchids daily for shipment to other provinces for sale.
During peak season (December 23rd), the number of flowers being packaged doubles, and workers will work overtime until 11 pm. Currently, the farm has 400,000 pots of blooming phalaenopsis orchids ready for export to distant partners such as Hanoi and Da Nang.
Duc Trong and Don Duong districts (part of the Da Lat flower region) in Lam Dong province have the highest concentration of orchid farms, including Truong Hoang Company, Ysa Orchid Farm, Apolo Company, Thanh Ha Orchid Company, etc.
In addition to traditional flower varieties, this year many businesses are importing new colored flower varieties and mini orchids (old style but smaller size) to meet the increasingly diverse demands of the market.
According to some sources, this year's prolonged rainy weather and lack of sunshine have somewhat affected the growth of the orchids. However, thanks to the application of advanced techniques and technologies such as adjusting the amount of sunlight, using fans to regulate airflow, and ventilating greenhouses, the orchids are blooming evenly and beautifully, ensuring a consistent supply for the market.
Dalat flowers bloom longer and retain their beauty thanks to advanced technology.
According to Mr. Lai The Hung, the area and production of potted flowers for this year's Lunar New Year increased by about 10% compared to last year. Statistics show that the entire province has about 750 hectares of potted flowers of various types, with the potential to supply hundreds of millions of pots to the market for this year's Tet holiday.
Of that area, orchids (mainly high-end phalaenopsis orchids) alone cover about 100 hectares with approximately 15 million pots of various types.
"The application of advanced cultivation techniques helps flowers last longer, allowing growers to supply the market as early as the beginning of the twelfth lunar month and continue until after the Lunar New Year," Mr. Hung said.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoa-tet-da-lat-giong-ngoai-het-thoi-20250105230103131.htm
