Despite the cold and foggy weather, the working atmosphere at That Thon peach gardens in Long Phieng, Van Ho, Mai Son, Chieng Mung communes, Moc Chau, and Thao Nguyen wards is still busier than ever.
Peach growers are busy pruning, pruning buds, adjusting irrigation water and lighting so that peach blossoms "present to the king" can bloom in time for the Lunar New Year.
Amidst the peach garden entering the stage of water drainage, Mr. Tran Van Thuc, Director of Khanh Duong Cooperative, Yen Thi village, Long Phieng commune, said that since the beginning of November of the lunar calendar, he has been almost present in the garden day and night.
That thon peach trees are very difficult to care for. Just using incorrect techniques for a few days, the flowers will not bloom as desired. At this time, it is necessary to closely monitor weather developments to adjust techniques to suit," Mr. Thuc said.
That thon peach trees cannot be widely cared for, each peach tree has its own pruning and growth inhibition process, depending on age and shape. There are ancient peach trees, with rough trunks covered with moss, it takes 5-10 years to create a complete shape.
The older and more beautiful the tree, the more care must be taken. This is the decisive stage of the value of the whole year of labor," Mr. Thuc shared.
In Thao Nguyen ward, the atmosphere of preparing Tet peach blossoms is also taking place urgently. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tuan, from Co Do sub-area, with more than 1,500 That Thon peach trees, said that from mid-December of the lunar calendar, his family has started selecting standard trees to bring to Hanoi for rent and sale for Tet.
Peach blossoms from the garden must be healthy, with even buds, and balanced shapes. Before transportation, they are carefully checked and marked separately for easy monitoring," Mr. Tuan said.
According to Mr. Tuan, in recent years, the demand for renting That Thon peach trees has increased sharply, especially for amateurs, companies, and businesses. Each Tet holiday, his family rents about 200 trees, priced from 10-30 million VND/tree.
Customers who play peach blossoms lose everything, returning the garden after Tet to continue taking care of the next season, both sides benefit," Mr. Tuan said.
Sharing the same hustle and bustle, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, Chieng Di 1 village, Van Ho commune shared that these days she almost "eats and sleeps" outside the peach garden.
Currently, her garden has about 1,000 peach trees, supplying 200-300 trees to the market each year, priced from 2 - 80 million VND/tree, mainly for rent, and sold in small quantities.
The that thon peach consumption market is also gradually becoming bustling, many traders have placed deposits to buy peach trees from gardeners early.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Cau Giay district, Hanoi said: "I often order early peach blossoms to display for sale in the markets of Hanoi, Hung Yen, Hai Phong. Son La That Thon peach blossoms are favored by the climate with ancient shapes, thick flowers, very luxurious and unique; each crop I sell from 400 - 700 That Thon peach trees of all kinds.
When Tet is approaching, the That Thon peach gardens in Son La land are still brightly lit every night. In the typical cold of the highlands, each "king-offering peach tree" is carefully cared for, bringing expectations for a full Tet season.
