To keep peach blossom branches fresh during the Tet holiday, many people often burn the base of the branches before arranging them. However, this practice is a common mistake and may even be counterproductive. The small tips below will help you maintain beautiful peach branches throughout the Tet season.
Fresh peach branches are a symbol of luck and the hope for a happy and peaceful new year in the traditional Tet celebration of Vietnamese people for generations, especially in the northern regions. There are various types of peaches, such as the pink peach, white peach, grafted peach, ancient wild peach, and more, but regardless of the type, ensuring vibrant and fresh peach blossoms for Tet requires stripping the leaves 35 to 60 days prior to the holiday.
Peach blossoms for Tet.
Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, a farmer with 10 years of experience caring for peach trees, owns 3 sao (around 3,600 square meters) with nearly 300 peach trees along the Red River in Nhat Tan Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi. He states: “When burned, the base of the peach branch gets scorched and cannot absorb water or nutrients, causing the branch to wilt quickly and the flowers to fade. Burning the base of the peach branch to keep the flowers fresh is unscientific.”
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh, Chairwoman of the Nhat Tan Farmers’ Union, whose family has a long tradition of growing, caring for, and selling peaches, also agrees that burning the base of the peach branch is not scientific and counterproductive for preserving the tree. Currently, most farmers in Nhat Tan do not practice this method.
A vendor burning the base of a peach branch.
In an interview with NTTN, Dr. Dang Van Dong, Director of the Research and Development Center for Flowers and Ornamental Plants at the Central Institute for Vegetable and Fruit Research, said: “According to folk wisdom, burning peach branches is primarily to eliminate bacteria and fungi that invade the sap vessels of the branches, reducing sap flow and nutrient loss from the branch, and cleaning the water for placing the peach. However, burning the base of the peach branch can also block the vessels, preventing water and nutrients from traveling up to nourish the branches.”
According to Dr. Dong, if one chooses to burn the branches, it should be done moderately. “If burned for too long or too much, it will damage the vessels, cause blockages, and lead to the premature wilting of the peach branches,” he explained.
Dr. Dong advises that to keep peach trees beautiful and fresh during the chilly Tet days, the branches should be placed indoors in a sheltered position to keep warm. Additionally, peach lovers can water them with warm water and add a few vitamin B1 pills or potassium fertilizer to the water.
Choosing Peach Branches
To ensure healthy peach branches from the start when selecting them from the garden or market, pay attention to how the gardeners dig them to avoid breaking the roots or damaging the soil ball, as this will affect the vitality and nutrient supply for the tree. When choosing branches, look for fresh, sturdy stems with many plump buds.
If buying branch peaches, choose those with a round canopy and evenly distributed branches for better blooming.
One way to keep peach blossoms fresh is to buy them 2-3 days before Tet.
Additionally, you should select peaches that have the complete set of the four precious elements: flowers, buds, leaves, and fruit, which symbolize a prosperous and happy family.
Keeping Peach Branches Fresh
Clean the vase where the peach branches will be arranged and use clean water for the flowers. This is the most crucial tip for keeping peach blossoms fresh; you must ensure that the branches are always placed in clean water, in a sheltered area, and kept warm for longevity. You can change the water in the flower vase every 2-3 days, and each time you change it, rinse the part of the branch that is submerged in water to remove any old water.
For potted peach trees, water them regularly with clean water, but avoid over-watering as peach trees prefer drier conditions. Overwatering can cause root rot and quick damage to the tree.
Cleaning the vase and using clean water for the peach branches is one of the secrets to keeping the flowers fresh.
Adding Nutrients for Peach Branches
You can add a few B1 pills to the vase for extra nutrients to nourish the flowers. You can use those meant for human consumption or purchase B1 designed for plants that provide better nutrition.
For potted peach trees, if you have potassium fertilizer, dissolve a little to water the tree. Potassium helps supplement nutrients for the branches, making them stronger.
Adjusting Blooming Speed of Peach Blossoms
If the peach branches you purchased have small buds and are still unopened close to Tet, a simple trick to encourage faster blooming is to replace the water in the vase with warm water. For potted peach trees, speeding up blooming can be achieved by applying lime around the base; just one day later, the flowers will bloom. You also need to ensure sufficient water for the peach and keep it in a warm room.
To slow down blooming, gently score around the stem 10-15cm from the base to restrict nutrients from the stem from feeding the flowers.
Conversely, to slow down blooming, gently score around the stem 10-15cm from the base to restrict nutrients from the stem from feeding the flowers and use cold water for the arrangement. For potted peach trees, spreading gravel on the soil surface helps cool the base, and placing the peach on a cool balcony will also slow down blooming.
Best Practices for Arranging Peach Flowers During Tet
During Tet, the pale or vibrant pink of peach flowers is essential for every family in the North.
It is particularly important to discard the flowers before they wilt in your home at the beginning of the new year. If the first day of the year sees wilting flowers, many will associate it with bad luck.
Currently, some families opt for artificial peach flowers made from paper, plastic, or glass during Tet, believing they are more durable and can be used year-round. However, the use of artificial peach flowers should be limited.
Limit Flashing Lights on Peach Branches
Finally, if your home is warm enough, limit the decoration of flashing lights on the peach branches because the heat from electric lights can cause the flowers to bloom faster.
You should also avoid placing peach branches near electrical appliances in the house, as these devices generate heat when operating, which can warm the branches and cause them to bloom more.
Conversely, if the temperature drops as Tet approaches, you can water the base with warm water or decorate with flashing lights to encourage the peach blossoms to bloom faster for the holiday. With just a little effort, you can control the blooming of peach flowers or encourage them to bloom beautifully on the first day of Tet.
Wishing everyone a vibrant and fresh peach branch as Spring arrives!
