Mr. Tran Ngoc Nam (55 years old, residing in Dong Do village, Binh Khe commune) is one of the successful breeders of Yen Tu yellow apricot trees, owning many ancient apricot trees.
The Yen Tu yellow apricot growing profession in Binh Khe commune, Dong Trieu town, Quang Ninh province has also developed in recent years, helping many families change their lives thanks to the high economic value of this endemic flower species.
Changing life thanks to 'conquering' Yen Tu yellow apricot blossom
Understanding the value of Yen Tu yellow apricot, many people who have grown ornamental plants for many years in Binh Khe commune are determined to "conquer" and propagate Yen Tu yellow apricot.
In the cold, drizzly days of December, Mr. Tran Ngoc Nam (55 years old, residing in Dong Do village, Binh Khe commune) diligently and with his workers monitor and take care of each yellow apricot tree that has been meticulously cared for over many years.
On cold days, Yen Tu yellow apricot trees are kept warm by using incandescent light bulbs.
More than 10 years ago, Mr. Nam spent hundreds of millions of dong to buy embryonic trees to revive and propagate. At first, he had no experience, so many embryonic trees died, and his capital was also lost, but Mr. Nam was still determined to pursue and by 2017 he had succeeded.
In addition to grafting and nursery, Mr. Nam also takes care of plants in a greenhouse and on cold days he has to use incandescent lamps to keep the plants warm and avoid killing them.
Up to now, Mr. Nam's nearly 6,000m² garden has about 2,000 Yen Tu yellow apricot trees, with all sizes from small to ancient, and 60 trees are worth up to 200 million VND/tree.
According to Mr. Nam, on the occasion of the Year of the Dragon, his family has about 400 trees that meet the standards to put in pots to sell, the lowest price is 4 million VND/tree, and the average trees have prices ranging from 30 to 40 million VND/tree.
"Yen Tu yellow apricot is more special than other apricot species because the flowers bloom big, the petals are thick, the number of flowers on a branch is very large and the blooming time is long, so it is favored by many people. Half a month ago, I sold four trees for 50 to 70 million VND to some people who ordered in advance," said Mr. Nam.
An old Yen Tu yellow apricot tree worth hundreds of millions of dong at Mr. Nam's garden
Mr. Le Quoc Ruyen - Head of the Economic Department of Dong Trieu town - said that the locality currently has 400 hectares of flowers and ornamental plants, including more than 10 hectares of Yen Tu yellow apricot.
According to Mr. Ruyen, Yen Tu yellow apricot is a typical local tree, helping many families "change their lives" thanks to its high economic value.
Explaining the market's love for Yen Tu yellow apricot flowers, Mr. Pham Khac Huyen - director of Ngoa Van Yen Tu yellow apricot cooperative, one of the pioneers in growing Yen Tu yellow apricot flowers in Dong Trieu - said that although they are both from the apricot family, compared to the yellow apricot flowers in the South, Yen Tu yellow apricot flowers last longer, have strong vitality, and can withstand the cold weather of the North.
Another highlight is that the flower has 5 petals with a fresh fragrance and also has a unique spiritual value, because it is associated with the Yen Tu scenic spot, where Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong chose to practice.
To make Yen Tu yellow apricot blossom in time for Tet
Mr. Nam has now mastered the technique of breeding and growing Yen Tu yellow apricot flowers to bloom in time for Lunar New Year.
Normally, Yen Tu yellow apricot blossoms in season in February and March of the lunar calendar, so to serve the people's Tet needs, professionals must apply "special" care techniques to stimulate the flowers to bloom as desired.
To make the flowers bloom brightly in time for Tet, as early as the 15th day of the 9th lunar month, gardeners have been using biological products to "shock" the plants. 50-60 days before Tet, workers will pluck the leaves to stimulate the plants to bloom.
However, when plucking leaves, the worker must be especially meticulous and attentive, carefully plucking each leaf, so as not to affect the flower buds located between the leaf axils.
Yen Tu yellow apricot trees in Binh Khe commune today are diverse in style and price, from millions to billions. At the garden of Mr. Phan Trung Hoang - Ninh Binh village, Binh Khe commune - owns the largest collection of ancient Yen Tu yellow apricot trees in Vietnam.
This garden currently has about 200 Yen Tu yellow apricot trees that have been created into bonsai art, with some "old" yellow apricot trees up to 500 years old and valued at hundreds of billions of dong.
Yen Tu yellow apricot is more special than other apricot species because of its large blooming flowers, thick petals, large number of flowers on a branch and the tree has strong vitality, can withstand the cold weather of the North.
"Thien Phuc Yen Tu", "Hoa Roi Cua Phat" or "Ho Thien Yen Tu"... are works that just hearing the names makes anyone curious, and when looking at them, everyone wants to stay longer to ponder.
Mr. Hoang also said that he has "cured and restored many old yellow apricot trees hundreds of years old, turning them into works of art, meeting the criteria of antiquity, strangeness, beauty, and literature".
HA (according to Tuoi Tre)Source
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