In May, Ho Bich Tram dedicated the first-floor balcony space to experimentally plant 20 melon plants in plastic containers. The actress invested a few million dong to buy stainless steel support frames, growing medium, and fertilizer. She also researched care methods online to help the plants thrive and yield sweet fruit.
Ho Bich Tram covers each melon on the trellis. Video: Courtesy of Ho Bich Tram.
According to Ho Bich Tram, when growing plants in pots, the growing medium must be loose for roots to breathe, combined with adequate watering and mulching around the base to retain moisture. She waters daily and fertilizes every 10 days. She finds the pollination stage the most challenging. Each morning, the actress wakes early to spend an hour hand-pollinating flowers and training vines onto the trellis. On days with filming schedules, she asks family members to help with care.
When the plants bear fruit, Ho Bich Tram uses specialized bags to cover each melon. The actress states that sunlight is a critical technical factor for melon quality. Thanks to Ho Chi Minh City's sunny summer weather, the melon trellis developed well, yielding over a dozen fruits.
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Ho Bich Tram with her melon trellis. Photo: Courtesy of Ho Bich Tram.
Besides the balcony melon trellis, she also maintains a 30 square meter vegetable garden on her rooftop. There, the actress rotates crops of cucumbers, bitter melon, gourds, tomatoes, and various herbs.
Born and raised in rural Quang Ngai (now Kon Tum), Ho Bich Tram is familiar with farm work and proficient in cultivation techniques. To maintain cleanliness, she places plastic saucers under the pots to prevent water and soil from overflowing. Before the rainy season, she proactively installs netting to reduce direct water impact and prevent root erosion.
Currently, Ho Bich Tram balances online sales with acting. She says gardening helps her relieve stress after tiring work hours.
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Ho Bich Tram's Huynh Long melons on her balcony. Photo: Courtesy of Ho Bich Tram.
Ho Bich Tram was among the top 20 contestants in Miss Teen 2010. She made her mark in numerous TV series such as Thuyen Giay, Canh Bac Cuoc Doi, Khu Vuon Bi An, Con Duong Hoan Luong, and Me Ho Day Con Dau. The actress married businessman Quan Trong in 2021 and has two children, aged four and two.
Hoang Dung
