Off-season chrysanthemum cultivation yields five times the income of rice farming.

(Baonghean.vn) - Traditionally, people only grow flowers in the winter to serve the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. However, Mr. Doan Loi in Block 1, Yen Thanh town, has managed to make his flowers bloom amidst the scorching hot Lao wind.

Visiting Mr. Duc Loi's "flower field" in Block 1, Yen Thanh town, on a sweltering summer day, despite the scorching hot Lao wind, the patch of flowers amidst the rice paddies still bloomed beautifully.

Mr. Loi said: "Previously, I only grew flowers in the winter to meet market demand during the Lunar New Year. However, in recent years, realizing the year-round market demand, I boldly researched cultivation techniques and invested in growing chrysanthemums out of season. While others prepare the land for rice planting after the Lunar New Year, I prepare the land for flower cultivation, planting about 60,000 yellow chrysanthemum plants on 2 acres of land."

Mr. Duc Loi in Yen Thanh town is harvesting chrysanthemums.

Currently, due to market scarcity, the family doesn't have to sell retail; traders come directly to the garden to buy the flowers at 2,000 VND per flower. After deducting expenses, they earn a profit of 20 million VND per sao (approximately 1000 square meters), which is 4-5 times more profitable than growing rice.

Mr. Loi further shared: investing in growing chrysanthemums out of season can yield three times the profit because the market demand is not too limited, especially on the 15th and 1st days of the lunar month. Growing flowers out of season is difficult due to unfavorable weather conditions, but the selling price is high.

The chrysanthemums are well-watered, resulting in dense clusters of buds.

However, to grow chrysanthemums out of season, it's crucial to maintain moisture during dry weather. Regular watering is necessary, especially from the time the plants begin to root until they bloom. Furthermore, to achieve successful chrysanthemum harvests, growers must be patient, meticulous, and adhere to proper technical requirements, paying particular attention to pest, disease, and weed control.

The best time to cut flowers is early morning or late afternoon, when the weather is dry and not raining. Mr. Loi selects flowers that have bloomed about two-thirds of their petals or whose outer petals are almost fully open.

According to a representative from the Yen Thanh Town leadership: Yen Thanh currently has over 2 hectares dedicated to growing flowers and ornamental plants; however, only Mr. Loi's family is currently growing off-season flowers. The town will encourage residents to expand their off-season flower cultivation next year to meet market demand and increase their income.

Chrysanthemums are carefully packaged for transport and sale.

Van Truong