Peach blossoms are characteristic of spring and an essential part of Vietnamese households in the northern regions. However, selecting a beautiful peach branch or tree that blooms perfectly on the eve of the Lunar New Year can be quite challenging.
Depending on your financial situation, where you live, and your taste in peaches, you may have different methods or standards for selecting peach blossoms.
There are many varieties of peach blossoms: including red peach, pale peach, and white peach (rare); there are also ornamental peach trees, peach trees grown in pots, and peach branches for vase arrangements, etc. Depending on your financial situation, location, and personal taste, you may have different ways or standards for selecting peach blossoms.
The names of various types of peach trees are often derived from Sino-Vietnamese characters such as: Five Blessings, Upright Branch, Wind Blown, Three Abundances, Dragon Descending, etc., while the shapes of these trees evoke familial symbolism, representing relationships between parents and children, and legendary creatures like dragons and phoenixes.
The perception of “beautiful peaches” varies from person to person and family to family, depending on individual preferences and regional customs. Some families prefer to display simple branches (cut from large wild peach trees), while others enjoy decorative peach trees that have been shaped and pruned into various styles.
Therefore, a beautiful peach branch or tree is one that fits the space of each home and aligns with the preferences and aesthetic values of individuals.
Those with a keen eye for selecting peach trees will pay attention to ensure they possess the complete set of four precious elements: Flowers, Buds, New Shoots, and Fruits on the same tree or branch, which will help create a warm atmosphere for the family’s Lunar New Year celebrations and elevate the spirits of the hosts during the new year.
Choosing Peach Branches for the Lunar New Year
Choose the size of the peach branch based on the space available in your home.
Those selecting peach branches often do so due to limited space in their homes or simply to adorn an altar or living room table. However, the size of the peach branch should be chosen according to the size of the home.
The most important factor is that the branch should have a round canopy, with branches distributed evenly. Avoid selecting branches with uneven canopies or branches that do not originate from a single point on the trunk. Look for branches with small, straight buds that are evenly spaced from top to bottom.
Branches with small buds typically have many plump buds, and when the flowers bloom, they appear thick and beautiful. An ideal peach branch has double-layered flowers, vibrant colors, evenly spaced branches, and a straight trunk. While the trunk may be rough, it should be sturdy and strong. Avoid purchasing peaches too early, as they may look beautiful at the time of purchase but could bloom before the Lunar New Year. It is best to buy peach branches 3-5 days before the holiday for optimal blooming.
Buyers should select branches cut from older peach trees for better vitality. A tip for choosing such branches is that they should appear rugged, healthy, with a slightly dark hue. If the branch has white mold, it is even more desirable.
In particular, branches that have been pruned (cut every 2-3 years) will have vibrant, fresh flowers that last longer. If you choose the right pruned branch, it can last for a month without losing its blooms.
However, this type of peach is relatively rare and typically costs twice as much as branches harvested annually.
After successfully purchasing the desired peach branch, you should burn the end before placing it in a vase, ensuring the water is clean. You can also add a few vitamin B1 tablets and a little potassium to nourish the flowers.
Choosing Peach Trees for the Lunar New Year
When buying, the purchaser needs to determine the shape of the peach tree.
Choosing a peach tree is more complex than selecting branches. First, a beautiful peach tree should have a thick, round, and rugged trunk.
Next, the buyer needs to determine the shape of the peach tree. Along with this, it is essential to figure out the best placement for the peach tree in the house to ensure it is as attractive as possible.
One of the popular shapes sought after is the “Gathering” shape, symbolizing reunion and warmth.
This tree shape typically has a canopy that reaches high, representing parents, while smaller, lower canopies symbolize children gathering together.
- The “Upright Branch” shape is also a beautiful form. A tree in this shape usually has one branch that rises straight up and another that droops down, symbolizing abundance and prosperity in career and love.
- The “Five Blessings” shape has four branches below and one pointing upwards, representing fullness and a happy family.
- More elaborate and rarer are trees with the “Dragon Descending” shape. This shape features branches that gracefully droop downward, resembling a dragon descending to the ground, with smaller branches above resembling dragon scales. This shape conveys dignity and luxury.
- The most common shape is the “Couple” shape, represented by two branches entwined, symbolizing a deep affection.
When selecting a beautiful peach tree, buyers should also choose one with small, short branches, where the main branches emerge from a single point on the trunk, ensuring a balanced and stable appearance for easy arrangement.
Peach trees bloom more slowly than branches, so you should select trees that have many flowers just before the Lunar New Year. If you buy a tree with few flowers just days before the holiday, it may not bloom in time for the main days of the celebration, resulting in a lackluster appearance. Regular watering, keeping the tree clean and cool will help the peach tree remain vibrant and fresh for longer.
Regular watering and keeping the tree clean and cool will help the peach tree stay fresh and vibrant.
However, do not overwater; peach trees only need moderate moisture. Too much water can cause root rot.
Peach Flowers
People usually choose between two types of peaches: the Pale Peach and the Nhat Tan Peach.
- The Pale Peach has thick, vibrant, pinkish flowers that look very elegant.
- The Nhat Tan Peach has a richer color, larger blossoms, and lasts longer.
Depending on the home’s space and interior decoration style, one can choose the type of peach that stands out the most.
How to Choose Wild Peaches
Wild peaches typically reach heights of 2 to 5 meters with canopies ranging from 1.5 to 3 meters wide. Therefore, you need to choose branches that fit your home; if your home has a high ceiling or is outdoors, branches taller than 4 meters and wider than 3 meters could look beautiful. Conversely, if the space is small, opt for branches about 2.5 meters tall and 1.5 meters wide.
Things to Note When Buying Peaches for the Lunar New Year
As such, garden owners will likely consider “enhancing” the branches or trees to sell to customers. To avoid purchasing enhanced branches or trees, buyers need to carefully check each flower or bud to see if they have been glued.
No matter how sophisticated the enhancement is, buyers who pay attention can still discern it, as the glue point on the branch is always visible.
Tips to Ensure Peach Blooms on Lunar New Year
It is believed that peach blossoms blooming on the first day of the Lunar New Year brings good luck and signifies a year full of fortune and happiness.
- If you want the peach to bloom quickly, you can use a handful of quicklime, apply it around the base of the peach tree, and it will surely bloom beautifully after one night.
- If your peach blooms too quickly, you can slow it down by keeping the base of the tree in a cold vase filled with gravel or by using a sharp knife to score around the trunk to restrict nutrient supply, thus delaying blooming.
Note: Be sure to change the water for the peach branches regularly, every 2-3 days.
Feng Shui Placement of Peach Trees
After mastering how to choose peach trees according to feng shui, consider the best placement for your peach tree based on the year:
- Place the tree pot facing West in the years of Rat, Dragon, and Monkey
- Place the tree pot facing East in the years of Horse, Dog, and Tiger
- Place the tree pot facing South in the years of Rooster, Ox, and Snake
- Place the tree pot facing North in the years of Cat, Goat, and Pig
The pot should also be proportionate in shape to the tree, with colors that harmonize with the wall paint of the house. Additionally, colors that align with the placement direction will greatly benefit feng shui:
- Blue vase, black if placed facing North
- Jade green vase, green if placed facing East or Southeast
- Red vase, purple if placed facing South
- Yellow vase, white if placed facing West or Northwest
- Yellow vase, brown if placed facing Northeast or Southwest
