Prudence in testing
For the 2026 Lunar New Year flower crop, Ms. Le Cam Thi in Cho Lach commune, Vinh Long province, allocated a part of the garden area to grow Korean chrysanthemums, considering this a cautious test step after many years of attachment to the traditional flower growing profession.
According to Ms. Thi, Korean chrysanthemums create a strong impression thanks to their diverse colors, not just a familiar yellow color. Purple, red, and orange tones help the flower pot look more modern, suitable for the new decorative tastes of young customers.
Ms. Thi said that this chrysanthemum variety requires growers to carefully monitor each stage. From lighting treatment, water regulation to shaping, everything must be carefully calculated so that the flowers bloom evenly and on time for Tet.
Compared to traditional raspberry chrysanthemums, Korean chrysanthemums are weather-sensitive. Just a sudden change in temperature or lighting, the quality of flowers easily decreases, directly affecting selling prices.
Together growing traditional chrysanthemum mums, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nu maintains about 500 pots of Korean chrysanthemum mums in this year's Tet crop. Ms. Nu shared that choosing a moderate number helps families easily control techniques and limit risks when testing new flower varieties.
According to Ms. Nu, the investment cost for Korean chrysanthemums is quite high. If unfavorable weather or slow purchasing power occurs, growers will find it very difficult to manage capital.
Ms. Nu added that growing high-end flowers means greater pressure. Growers must closely monitor the planting time and handle flowering simultaneously, because just a few days apart from the Tet peak, the selling price drops sharply.
This is the 3rd year that Korean chrysanthemums have been introduced to be grown in Cho Lach. Although considered a high-end flower line, the area still accounts for a small proportion, showing that farmers mainly choose a slow, steady direction to avoid risks.
Traders are also cautious
From a purchasing perspective, Mr. Dang Van Mi - Long Thoi Agricultural Cooperative assessed that Korean chrysanthemums have potential but the market is still new. Consumers like differences, but are still quite sensitive to selling prices.
According to Mr. Mi, the price of each pair of Korean chrysanthemums is currently double (320 - 350 thousand VND/pair) compared to traditional chrysanthemums. This price level makes it difficult to reach ordinary customers, especially at traditional flower markets.
Therefore, traders only dare to order a moderate quantity to explore purchasing power. Slow consumption will directly affect the decision to increase the number of Korean chrysanthemum mums grown by farmers.
Ms. Le Thi Hoa, a long-time trader in the locality, said that the output of Korean chrysanthemums is not really stable. When traders are still wary, farmers find it difficult to boldly invest in large quantities.
According to Mr. Pham Thanh Nghi - Vice Chairman of Cho Lach Commune People's Committee - the whole commune currently has about 100,000 pots of Korean chrysanthemums, out of a total of more than 1.2 million pots of chrysanthemums of all kinds. Local authorities are monitoring the economic efficiency of this flower variety. When the market becomes more stable, the commune will have technical support and consumption connections for people.
The introduction of new flower varieties into production is positively assessed. However, Cho Lach is determined to develop in a cautious direction, avoiding the situation of massive expansion causing risks," Mr. Nghi added.
