Tips for fixing late-blooming wild peach blossoms

(Baonghean.vn) – In recent years, the trend of choosing peach blossom branches for Tet (Lunar New Year) has become quite popular. Here are a few tips to keep your peach blossom branches blooming for Tet without too much effort.

A bustling scene of people buying and selling peach blossoms in Muong Xen town during the end of the year. Photo: Ho Phuong.

Fresh peach blossoms are a symbol of good fortune and hope for a happy and peaceful new year during the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday. There are many varieties of peach blossoms, such as pink peach blossoms, light pink peach blossoms, white peach blossoms, grafted peach blossoms, seven-inch peach blossoms, and ancient wild peach blossoms… And the trend of using rock peach blossoms (light pink peach blossoms) is becoming increasingly popular.

Peach trees are grown in high-altitude areas with cool climates year-round. Because they are grown in high-altitude areas with difficult access, it's impossible to transport the entire tree, including its roots and trunk, back home. Therefore, people who buy peach trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) mainly use branches that have been cut and brought to the market.

Because of the long distances, both peach blossom sellers and buyers often make the mistake of cutting the branches too early during Tet. This results in some branches wilting, blooming too early, or blooming too late. Therefore, the first factor is choosing the right time to buy peach blossoms.

Mountain girl beside peach blossom branches on rocks. Photo: Ho Phuong.

The best time to buy peach blossom branches is about a week before Tet (Lunar New Year). Besides choosing branches of different shapes (depending on personal preference and taste), you should select branches that are still fresh, with strong, sturdy stems; and have many plump buds.

The flowers of the peach blossom tree (rock peach). Photo: Ho Phuong.

It's necessary to carefully observe the development of the flower buds on the branches to predict whether the peach blossoms will bloom at the right time.

If your peach blossoms bloom too early, you should place them in a secluded, dark spot, and avoid soaking the base of the branches in water. Absolutely do not burn the base of the branches, as this will stimulate the blossoms to bloom faster.

People selling peach blossoms use gas torches to heat the base of the branches, stimulating them to bloom in time for Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Photo: Ho Phuong.

If the peach blossom branch shows signs of having buds and won't bloom in time for Tet, you need to "warm it up" to stimulate its growth.

Method one:Using a knife, peel off the bark from the base of the peach tree, about 10 to 20 cm. Then, lightly char the bark over a fire before placing it in a tall vase and pouring warm water over it. Change the water once or twice a day.

The second way:Use a knife to peel off the bark from the base of the peach tree, about 10 to 20 cm, then apply lime to the branch.

Method 3:Place the peach blossom branch in a spacious area, cover it with plastic wrap, and warm it with a light bulb to stimulate its growth.

People who work as peach vendors carry peaches down the mountain during Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: Ho Phuong.

Besides the methods above, some people also add vitamin B1 to the vase containing the peach blossom branches. This is also a way to stimulate the growth of the peach blossom branches, helping them stay fresh longer and preventing the petals from falling off prematurely after blooming.

HP