Many flower growers in Nghe An worry about 'losing' Tet

Many areas of people's Tet chrysanthemums were heavily flooded on November 23, 24, and 25. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Nghi Lien commune is the locality with the largest Tet flower area.Vinh citywith 12.1 hectares of flowers of all kinds. The heavy rains in the past few days have caused the entire flower area to be deeply submerged in water. After the rain stopped, the harsh sunlight caused the flower plants in the topping and branching stages to rot, choke the roots, and the green flower leaves gradually withered and drooped.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, Vice Chairman of Nghi Lien Commune People's Committee, said: "The whole commune planted 12.1 hectares of Tet flowers, concentrated in the hamlets of Trung Lien, Hong Lien, Bac Lien... Heavy rain flooded everything. Now the heat is like this, the flowers are wilting, the roots are rotting, it's considered completely wiped out."

According to calculations, for 1 hectare of chrysanthemums, people have to spend 120-130 million VND. As for lilies, the cost is much higher, from 200-300 million VND.

After the water receded and the sun rose, the flowers were submerged in mud, roots rotted, leaves wilted. Photo: Thanh Phuc

These days, people grow flowers inNghi An commune(Vinh City) is trying its best to save flowers and ornamental plants after the flood. However, due to the harsh weather, heavy rain and then hot sun, the flowers are deeply submerged, so now there is no hope.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, an agricultural officer of Nghi An commune, said: “Growing Tet flowers brings the main income to Nghi An farmers. This is the most anticipated flower crop of the year. In the past two years, due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, people have reduced the area, but this year they boldly planted 6 hectares but encountered extreme weather. Flower varieties and fertilizers have increased, so each sao of flowers costs 7-8 million VND. Just the damage this time for Nghi An flower growers is up to billions of VND.”

In addition to cultivated flowers, potted flowers such as dahlias, lilies, and gerberas of businesses were also flooded, causing significant damage. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai, a flower and ornamental plant business in Nghi An commune, said: "More than 200 pots of dahlias that had just been topped, 200 pots of sedums, and hundreds of pots of gerberas and roses that had just been potted were waiting to be sold for Tet when heavy rains hit and they were all flooded. Now it is difficult to take care of the flowers so they can recover, and if the Tet flowers are bad, they will be difficult to sell and lose value."

The chrysanthemum fields are wilting beyond saving. Photo: Thanh Phuc

The recent heavy rain also submerged 8 hectares of Tet flowers of Hung Dong people (Vinh City). "Never before has there been such heavy unseasonal rain like this year. More than 1,200m²“The chrysanthemums in the greenhouse were flooded. The damage was up to 90%”- said Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quyet, a long-time chrysanthemum grower in Trung My hamlet, Hung Dong commune.

Long-standing Tet flower growing areas in Nghi Lien, Nghi An, Hung Dong (Vinh City), Nghi Long (Nghi Loc), Kim Lien (Nam Dan)… all consider Tet as the main production season of the year, bringing high income to flower growers.

Due to flooding and then strong sunlight, most of the chrysanthemums died and were infected with fungus, while the lilies had burnt leaves. Photo: Thanh Phuc

However, this year's Tet flower crop has expensive flower seeds, increased input costs, and extreme weather. After planting the first batch, there was a flood in early October, so the land had to be re-cultivated and planted a second batch. When the garden flowers took root, grew green, and were just about to be topped to flower in time for Tet, heavy rains caused flooding.

Mr. Pham Trung Kien, Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan said: "10,000 lily and chrysanthemum plants planted for Tet sale today encountered heavy rain, all the chrysanthemums died and the lilies also grew poorly, with burnt leaves. Not to mention, after the rain, many harmful fungi and bacteria attacked the flower plants. This year's Tet crop was a big loss."

Remove nets and dredge drainage to save flowers. Photo: Thanh Phuc

What is more worrying is that other crops can be easily repaired after damage, and once the soil is dry, they can be replanted and replanted. As for flowers, they are grown to serve the Tet market, which is easy to consume and has a good price, so now that we wait for the soil to dry to plant, they will not be able to flower in time to sell for Tet.

“Flowers are mainly sold from the 15th day of the 12th lunar month until Tet. If they are planted late and do not meet the Tet season, they will be difficult to sell and the selling price will be cheap. This year, Tet is considered lost,” added Mr. Pham Trung Kien.

Localities have directed people in areas where flowers have been lost due to heavy rains to focus on treating the soil and switching to growing short-term vegetables. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Therefore, calculating what plants to plant to replace the lost chrysanthemumdamage caused by rainLarge areas need to be carefully considered. Currently, localities are directing people to implement measures to restore and save areas of flowers that have suffered minor damage; as for areas that have been completely lost, they are waiting for the soil to dry, treating the soil, and switching to planting short-term vegetables to supply the market.