Most ochna gardens in HCM City's districts 12, Hoc Mon and Thu Duc are now offering ochna care services. — Photo baodongnai

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Services to take care of mai (ochna) trees after Tet have increased in HCM City, particularly among families that have little time to look after the valuable plants.

Most ochna gardens in HCM City's districts 12, Hoc Mon and Thu Duc are now offering ochna care services.

Ut Cao, an owner of an ochna garden in Hiep Binh Chanh Ward in Thu Duc District said demand for the service had risen each year, and the fee had also increased.

This year, the fee jumped by 15-20 per cent compared to last year.

The gardeners said the fee increase was due to high labour costs and expenses for fertiliser and pesticides.

Gardeners who take care of trees valued at VND500,000 (US$23.8) take 10-30 per cent of the tree value for their services. An ochna tree worth VND40-50 million ($1,904 - 2,380) will have a fee of VND15-20 million ($714-952).

According to gardeners, house owners should send ochna trees soon, and not wait until the end of the first month of the lunar calendar. The trees could get weak and die or contract disease.

The gardeners said house owners should water the trees and then after three to four days check the soil. It is important not to overwater the plants, they said.

The gardeners said owners should not pour tea water or ice water on the plant because this could kill them or prevent the tree from blossoming next year.

In southern Viet Nam, the ochna tree is the traditional symbol of Tet, while in the north the peach blossom tree represents these traditional Tet holidays. —VNS