In Gia Lai, through many traditional Tet seasons, people still maintain the tradition of displaying yellow apricot flowers and orchids in their homes.
However, for the past 3 years, people in the mountain town of Pleiku have been delighted with the first Northern peach garden of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thoa and Mr. Le Van Nghiem, residing in Yen The ward.
Mr. Nghiem said: “Every time I return to my hometown in the North to celebrate Tet, I am thrilled to see the bright red peach blossoms blooming. Being a farmer and a planter myself, I immediately had the idea of trying to grow this type of tree on the red basalt soil of the plateau.”
At first, both husband and wife were worried that the basalt soil would be difficult to grow and develop peach trees that are accustomed to the climate and soil of the North. The first time, the family asked relatives in Hai Duong province to order about 100 peach trees for trial planting.
Trucks transport goods to Gia Lai. The old couple diligently and carefully fertilize each peach tree, planting trees in a concentrated area of agricultural land behind their house.
Due to lack of experience and knowledge, the first peach blossom season was not successful, many trees withered, did not bloom, some trees bloomed late.
Not discouraged, Mr. Nghiem and his wife continued to plant and change the way they fertilized. Mr. Nghiem shared that, based on experience, from April and May, they would prune the bad branches at the base to nourish the upper branches.
In July and August, continue to cut the high branches and trim them to make the canopy even. From the end of November, he strips all the leaves to let the tree bloom and produce new buds.
Thanks to the change in the way peach trees are cared for, plus the climate in Gia Lai is usually cold at the end of the year, with little rain, and sunny weather at noon, the peach trees have bloomed beautifully, right in time for Tet.
Mrs. Thoa happily said: “After 4 years of growing peach trees, my husband and I have a good income, welcoming a warmer and more prosperous Tet. However, the happiest thing is being the first to pioneer bringing Northern peach trees to the mountain town, adding color to spring. Having a mai tree and peach branches in front of the house, people far from home coming to Gia Lai to make a living also feel warm-hearted.”
This year, Mrs. Thoa and Mr. Nghiem’s family garden of more than 400 peach trees has had people come to buy more than 100 trees. The family also took care of more than 60 peach trees sent by people in Pleiku city.
During the Lunar New Year 2025, this farmer’s family expects to earn more than 200 million VND from growing and caring for flowers. Peach blossoms and peach blossoms are selected from many places, ready to meet customers’ flower-playing needs.
In the days leading up to Tet, the red color of peach blossoms symbolizing luck, happiness, and success in the new year begins to sprout in a corner of the mountain town.
