Peach blossoms need electricity to bloom in a cold Tet

Due to the prolonged cold, villagers in Nhat Tat have to warm their peach trees by electric bulbs so that the flowers bloom by Tet.

Farmers in Nhat Tan, a famous flower village in Hanoi, have had to turn on the bulbs in hope to earn some money for the special season.

The severe cold has not only restrained the flower blossoms but has also had an adverse effect on the number of visitors the village.

“We must accept this. We have no control over the weather,” says Mr. Tien, a villager in Nhat Tan. Many of his peach trees haven\'t produced any buds.

Mr. Son, another villager, said the late blooming would drive up peach tree prices this year. Between 50% and 70% of his peach trees have no flowers. Beautiful trees are difficult to find in his garden this year.

Sellers of the traditional plant have increased their prices by 40% to 50% from last year.

Mr. Son says that a tree with peach blossoms may cost something between VND4 million and VND10 million (USD200-USD500). Peach tree branches will be cheaper, ranging from VND400 and VND500 (USD20-USD25) for one. Those grown in the norther provinces are more sought after and may cost between VND7 million to VND20 million (USD350-USD1,000).

The cold is affecting many of the seasonal flower villages of Hanoi, such as Me Linh, Tay Tuu, Quang Ba and Nghi Tam.

Some images of peach gardens in Nhat Tan:

A peach tree being artificially warmed

Electricity is the last option for growers in this weather

Blossoms like these will be rare this year

Plastic helps protect the delicate flowers

Pruning a peach tree

Buyers will have difficulty finding a bargain

Trying to purchase this traditional Tet decoration

A whole tree could cost VND20 million

Small flowers have scant protection from the elements