On 31/1, Pham Van Ut, director of Dinh Chau Duc Co. Ltd., the company responsible for planting and care, announced that approximately 200 people were hired by the company to defoliate the rows of yellow apricot blossom trees on the median strip over two days. With a wage of 40,000 VND per hour, workers earn around 320,000 VND daily.
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Workers defoliate rows of mai trees on the median strip in Ngai Giao commune. Photo: Thai Binh |
Workers defoliate rows of mai trees on the median strip in Ngai Giao commune. Photo: Thai Binh
According to Ut, this income is lower than harvesting pepper, and the work is performed under hot weather conditions. Despite this, the activity still attracts many participants. Many are fond of the yellow apricot blossom road and wish to contribute to its care, beautifying their hometown for Tet, rather than prioritizing earnings.
This year, the apricot trees were defoliated early due to unusual hot and cold weather fluctuations. After defoliation, based on weather conditions, the company will adjust watering, care, and fertilization to stimulate the trees to bud and bloom correctly just before Tet.
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People defoliate mai trees on National Highway 56. Photo: Thai Binh |
People defoliate mai trees on National Highway 56. Photo: Thai Binh
In 2017, the former Chau Duc district implemented the idea of planting yellow apricot blossom trees on the median strips of Hung Vuong and Tran Hung Dao routes (Ngai Giao town) with 246 trees. These trees, 8-10 years old, were purchased from local gardens at about one million Vietnamese dong per tree.
Currently, nearly 1,200 mai trees are planted on the median strip, extending approximately 6.4 km across Ngai Giao and Kim Long communes. The mai trees are cared for, shaped, and treated to bloom simultaneously in the days leading up to Tet Nguyen Dan. In 7/2024, the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) recognized this as the longest yellow apricot blossom road in the country.
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Rows of mai trees in bloom during Tet in 2023. Photo: Truong Ha |
Rows of mai trees in bloom during Tet in 2023. Photo: Truong Ha
Yellow apricot blossom is a popular ornamental plant in southern provinces, typically blooming in spring and displayed during Tet. Defoliation helps the trees concentrate nutrients on developing buds, stimulating synchronized blooming as desired by growers. The timing of defoliation depends on weather conditions. In the hot southern region, mai trees are usually defoliated about 15 days before Tet.
Truong Ha
