The trend of putting agricultural products in ornamental pots for Tet

1. Bonsai kumquat riding a dog

To capture the trend of the Year of the Dog, many gardeners grow kumquat trees in the shape of dogs or add fancy dogs. Some places design kumquat trees on the backs of spotted dogs. According to artisan Truong Ngoc Xuan in Bac Tu Liem (Hanoi), 2018 is the Year of the Dog, many people want to have a dog symbol in their house to bring good luck at the beginning of the year. Therefore, he came up with the idea of ​​growing kumquat trees associated with this image.

This artist also said that taking care of bonsai trees requires more meticulousness, such as watering them moderately to ensure adequate water and nutrition, and pruning is also more difficult than usual. When the trees are a year old, Mr. Xuan begins to shape and bend them to the shape he wants. These unique bonsai kumquat pots cost 2 million VND.

In addition to the kumquat tree riding a spotted dog, this year an artisan in Dong Thap has created a pair of peony bonsai trees simulating a 2.4m tall dog, priced at up to 250 million VND.

2. Kimchi mushroom bonsai

This type is quite popular during Tet holiday. Because it is carefully grown, it costs from several hundred thousand to tens of millions of dong per pot depending on the type of mushroom and the shape of the mushroom.

The owner of a lingzhi mushroom farm in Dong Nai said that lingzhi mushrooms are grown and cared for in a special environment for 4 months. When they spread out and branch out, they are separated from the embryo and transferred to ceramic pots. It takes 4-6 months of incubation and planting for lingzhi mushrooms to become bonsai pots.

"If you're not careful, it's hard to get a nice pot for this type of mushroom. So far, most of the products have been sold out. I only have about 100 pots left to bring to the Tet flower market to serve customers," said the mushroom garden owner.

3. Red radish

Not only does it bring good luck, this agricultural product can also be used for stir-frying or making pickles after being displayed for Tet.

Mr. Thanh, owner of a bonsai shop on Cu Xa Bac Hai Street (District 10, Ho Chi Minh City) said that compared to last year, this year's red radishes are much larger in size, have a more vibrant red color, are more beautiful and shiny, and the bunches of leaves on the radishes are also more carefully trimmed, making them more attractive to buyers. This type is quite affordable, only 150,000-300,000 VND per pot, so it is quite popular.

“Red radishes are not only beautiful in color but also bring wealth and fortune. This year I sold about 200 pots but only have a dozen left. It has been 2 years but this type of radish is still very popular,” said Mr. Thanh.

4. Kale

Ms. Loan in Dong Thap said that green cabbage flowers have many lovely bright colors, so in addition to decorating dishes, many gardeners now grow them in pots to sell for Tet. There are many types of cabbage, each pot costs 130,000-180,000 VND.

This year the weather is not favorable so the supply to the market is not much. If last year I sold to traders to bring to the provinces, this year I mainly serve within the province. This type has eye-catching, new and strange colors, with a not too high price, so many people choose to buy it as an ornamental plant to display in the living room during Tet," said Ms. Loan.