Nghe An farmers are busy planting seeds to prepare for the Tet flower crop.

These days, the working atmosphere in the flower fields in Nghe An has become more bustling than ever as farmers in the growing areas are busy planting seeds to prepare for the 2026 Tet flower crop. Although input costs have increased sharply, everyone shares the same hope for a good Tet flower crop and good prices.

Prices of flower seeds and fertilizers are increasing.

The price of chrysanthemums with roots has increased by 500,000 - 700,000 VND/10,000 plants compared to last year. Photo: TP

In Vinh Tuong commune, since the beginning of the 9th lunar month, Ms. Duong Thi Ngoc's family has planted 20,000 long-term chrysanthemum plants out of a total of 60,000 plants planned to be planted during this Tet season. "This year, the price of chrysanthemum seeds has increased sharply, fluctuating between 2.2-2.5 million VND/10,000 plants for live chrysanthemum seedlings; and the type with roots is up to 3.5-4.5 million VND/10,000 plants, an increase of about 500-700 thousand VND/10,000 plants compared to last year. Every year, I both plant and grow seeds to sell to people, but this year the price is too high, so I only accept pre-ordered products," Ms. Ngoc Son shared.

Not only chrysanthemums, many other types of flowers such as lilies, dahlias, gladiolus, gerbera daisies... are also "escalating" in price. In Vinh Hung ward, which is considered the largest Tet flower growing area in Vinh city, this year farmers are expected to plant about 25 hectares of various flowers. Of which, chrysanthemums still occupy the largest area.

Many households buy chrysanthemum seedlings to grow and cut to save costs. Photo: TP

“According to a price survey at wholesale gardeners in Ninh Binh (formerly Nam Dinh), the price of chrysanthemum seeds is diverse in types and colors. In general, the price has increased from 500,000 VND to 1 million VND per 10,000 plants compared to the previous flower crop. The price of seeds is expensive, but farmers still order them to plant them in time for the new flower crop. To reduce costs, we collect orders, buy in large quantities to reduce shipping costs, and buy at wholesale prices…”, Ms. Bui Thi Hoa, a farmer in Vinh Hung ward shared.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Duc, owner of a garden specializing in supplying chrysanthemum seeds in Thai Hoa ward, the reason for the increase in flower seed prices is due to consecutive natural disasters in the North, the main source of seeds, causing damage to many parent flower gardens. “Many flower seed areas in Nam Dinh, Thai Binh , and Hanoi were flooded, causing mother chrysanthemums to die en masse, causing a sharp decrease in supply. Therefore, chrysanthemum seed prices increased. Other flower varieties such as pansies, gerberas, dahlias, gladiolus, etc. were also affected,” Mr. Duc said.

Many gardeners have planted long-term chrysanthemum varieties. Photo: TP

According to information from lily bulb suppliers in the area, the price of lily bulbs this year has increased slightly by 3-5 thousand VND/bulb compared to last year. "Currently, fragrant lilies are sold at retail for about 20-22 thousand VND/bulb, double lilies are around 28-32 thousand VND/bulb. For households buying wholesale, the price may decrease by 2-3 thousand VND/bulb. Although the price has increased, the number of orders is still very large, flower growers are planting flowers in full swing since the middle of the 10th lunar month," said Mr. Luu Thang, a garden owner in Nam Dan commune.

Not only flower varieties, but also the prices of fertilizers, substrates, pesticides, and labor have increased by 10-20%. For each flower field, the initial investment cost has increased by about 2-3 million VND. To reduce the burden, many flower growers have joined together in groups, buying materials at wholesale prices, sharing experiences, supporting seedlings and investment capital.

The price of lychee seeds has also increased from 2,000 - 7,000 VND/root (depending on the type). Photo: TP

Ms. Ngoc, owner of Ngoc Son garden in Vinh Tuong commune, added: “We have to plan carefully from the stage of choosing the land, planting time to choosing long- or short-day flower varieties. If the sowing schedule is off by just a few days, the flowers will bloom at the wrong time for Tet, which means a heavy loss. Therefore, every step must be precise.”

Along with cost pressures, flower growers are also worried about erratic weather conditions. At the end of the year, unseasonal rains and dense fog can easily cause flower roots to rot, leaves to burn, and pests to develop. Therefore, farmers' associations at all levels and local technical staff are increasing support for training and guidance on prevention and drainage measures, helping farmers feel secure in production.

Introducing new varieties

In Vinh Hung ward, in the fields, people are urgently completing the planting process to meet the crop schedule. According to Ms. Nguyen Hoai An - Chairman of the Ward Farmers' Association, this year, in addition to traditional flower varieties, people have boldly introduced many new flower varieties with high aesthetic and economic value.

“New varieties of chrysanthemums such as strange-colored gerbera daisies, magic chrysanthemums, Thai gerbera daisies, Japanese gerbera daisies, along with double dahlias, new-colored gladiolus, firecracker flowers, and Japanese sunflowers are being tested by many households. In addition, flower baskets, mini potted flowers, and balcony hanging flowers are also being invested in to meet the demand of the Tet market and to decorate garden landscapes,” said Ms. An.

Use covers and lights to stimulate flower growth. Photo: TP

Ms. Duong Thi Anh Tuyet, one of the large flower growers in Vinh Hung ward, expanded her area from 3 sao to 5 sao this year. Of which, 2 sao are used to grow chrysanthemums, the remaining 3 sao are used to grow new flower varieties. "In the 2025 Tet crop, although the cost was high, the flowers were priced well and sold well, so my family had a successful crop. In 2026, if the weather is favorable, I believe flowers will be in high demand again," Ms. Tuyet shared. According to Ms. Tuyet, people are currently planting long-term chrysanthemums, followed by marigolds, dahlias, and hanging flowers. Planting in alternating seasons helps diversify the flower supply and prolongs the consumption period. Each type of flower has its own growth cycle, so growers must calculate accurately so that the flowers bloom right before Tet, around December 25 to 29, lasting around the full moon of January.

To proactively manage output, Vinh Hung Ward Farmers' Association has encouraged people to diversify their consumption channels, connecting with flower shops, shopping malls, wholesale markets and online sales channels. Some households also cooperate with tourist areas, agencies, offices, cafes, and event organizers to supply potted flowers and miniature flowers. This approach helps growers reduce their dependence on traders and be more proactive in selling prices.

Many new flower varieties are being planted to diversify the market and increase revenue. Photo: TP

Thanks to the application of synchronous techniques, many flower growers in Vinh Phu and Vinh Hung this year have proactively installed drip irrigation and misting systems, increased the planting area in greenhouses and net houses to help control pests and ensure more uniform quality. At the same time, they combine microbial fertilizers and biological drugs to ensure long-lasting flowers and strong stems. "People have determined that the Tet crop is the main crop, bringing in 70-80% of the year's income, so everyone invests effort, capital and trust. Although costs increase, we still believe that if we take care of the flowers properly, they will be beautiful and sell for a good price," said Ms. Huong Le, Chairwoman of the Farmers' Association of Vinh Phu Ward.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/nong-dan-nghe-an-tat-bat-xuong-giong-chuan-bi-cho-vu-hoa-tet-10309576.html