Mai Flowers: Meaning, Planting, and Proper Tet Flowering Care

Mai flowers, peach blossoms are considered vibrant symbols of spring and Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam. This flower carries special significance symbolizing prosperity, happiness in the new year, as well as resilience against storms and challenges. Mai flowers come in various types such as Royal Mai, Double Mai, Single Mai,... with their own unique beauty. Explore more about this flower and the proper techniques for planting and propagation with Mytour Blog!

Introduction to the Mai Flower Plant

Below is the detailed origin and meaning of the Mai flower plant:

Origin of Mai Flowers

Mai flowers scientifically known as Ochna integerrima, belong to the mai family (Ochnaceae). They shed their leaves at the end of winter and bloom when spring arrives. Widely cultivated as ornamental plants in Asia, including Vietnam. The original names for these beautiful flowers include Yen Chi mai, Thuy Tien mai, Luc Ngac mai,... named based on their color characteristics. In Vietnam, mai trees are mainly grown in the forests of the Truong Son range, provinces of Quang Nam, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and the Mekong Delta.

Characteristics of Mai Flowers

The mai flower tree possesses the following characteristics:

The majestic appearance of the mai tree is characterized by its sturdy trunk and branches, which can be shaped for ornamental purposes. Its trunk is rugged, branching out into multiple limbs. The root system is extensive, reaching depths of 2 to 3 meters.

Mai flowers, a symbol of prosperity and wealth, are hermaphroditic and emerge in clusters from the leaf axils. Initially, clusters appear as green buds, blossoming into vibrant yellow flowers after about a week. Each flower consists of 5 small petals, blooming and fading within 3 days.

Mai flowers typically bloom in spring but may also bloom early, late, or off-season depending on weather conditions.

Since ancient times, the mai tree has been intimately linked with the rural landscapes of Vietnam. It digs its roots deep into the earth, sprouting and blossoming, never yielding to harsh weather conditions. Thus, mai flowers symbolize enduring vitality over the years, maintaining integrity and ethical values despite life's hardships and adversities.

Common Varieties of Mai Flowers

The most common varieties of mai flowers include:

Mai Tứ Quý

The Mai Tứ Quý, also known as the Red Mai, scientifically named Ochna Atropurpurea, is an ornamental flower that can bloom throughout the year. Initially, the flowers bloom with 5 bright yellow petals, then they wither and fall off, leaving behind 5 sepals that turn deep red, enveloping the stamens.

Hạnh Mai

The Hạnh Mai, also known as the Prunus Mume or Plum Blossom, is a compact tree with a height ranging from 6 to 9 meters. Its leaves are broad at the base, tapering to a point, with slight serrations, forming an oval shape. The blossoms feature 5 petals, prominently displaying shades of pink and white. When young, the fruit is green, later turning yellow with a characteristic sweet and sour taste.

Bạch Mai

The Bạch Mai, or White Plum Blossom, typically reaches a maximum height of about 15 meters and is commonly grown in Bến Tre, Hà Tiên, and the Bà Đen – Tây Ninh mountainous region. The pure white flowers consist of 6 to 7 rounded, thick petals. The pistil is yellow and resembles a porcelain flower. However, cultivating and caring for the Bạch Mai is quite challenging.

Pink Plum Blossom

The Pink Plum Blossom, scientifically known as Jatropha pandurifolia, is a woody plant with a height ranging from 1 to 4 meters. Its leaves are deep green, usually growing singly and lobed. The flowers, featuring 5 petals, exhibit a gentle pink hue with bright yellow stamens. Pink plum blossoms often cluster at the ends of branches, blooming sporadically throughout the year.

Golden Apricot Blossom

Golden Apricot Blossom (Lạp Mai) is a yellow flowering plant. The flowers, with 5 petite petals, boast a vibrant golden hue. Lạp Mai only blooms once a year, at the end of the lunar December.

Dual Apricot Blossom

Dual Apricot Blossom typically produces flowers that mature into paired fruits. The pure white petals exude elegance, purity, and exquisite beauty.

Water Jasmine

Water Jasmine, scientifically known as Wrightia Religiosa, is a perennial plant with a height of about 1.5 meters, featuring numerous branches and a relatively large root base. The leaves, small yet relatively long, grow in pairs. Water Jasmine flowers, white in color, are arranged in clusters, each with 5 small petals and a gentle fragrance.

Number One Plum Blossom

The root of the Number One Plum Blossom tree is large and rugged, with a shiny black trunk. The small green leaves taper to a point at the tip, resembling a hat. Compared to other plum blossom varieties, the Number One Plum Blossom has smaller flowers with thin petals, initially white, then gradually turning red as they near their end. The flowers may grow individually or in clusters.

Daisy Plum Blossom

Daisy Plum Blossom originates from Binh Dinh. With proper care, this tree, with its multiple branches and woody trunk, can bloom up to 150 petals.

Grand Fortune Plum Blossom

This is a rare and highly cherished variety of red-tipped plum blossom. The petals are round, compact, colorful, and can range from 24 to 56 in number.

Green Plum Blossom

Green plum blossom, known scientifically as Petrea Volubilis, originates from Central America and Mexico. It is a climbing plant with rough, gray-brown stems, reaching heights of 10 to 12 meters.

Some Other Varieties

Apart from the common plum blossom varieties mentioned above, Vietnam also has many other types of plum blossoms, such as: lantern plum blossom, sun plum blossom, sky-reaching plum blossom (plum of ten thousand fortunes, lady plum), clear plum blossom, swallow plum blossom, stone plum blossom, snow pine plum blossom, etc.

Proper Plum Blossom Planting Techniques

Below is a guide on how to plant plum blossoms correctly using proper techniques, which you should refer to immediately:

Grafting Techniques for Plum Blossoms

You can graft plum blossoms using one of the following two methods:

• Seed sowing method: With this method, the number of saplings after grafting will be very large, capable of living for 30 - 40 years. However, mature plums do not inherit good traits from the mother tree, have fewer branches, different colors and sizes of flowers, and the leaves are often smaller.

Planting Techniques

Plum growers need to consider the following important techniques to ensure healthy plant growth:

• Plant at the right density.
• Use planting soil with sufficient moisture, fertility, and nutrients by mixing it with compost, rice husks, charcoal, coconut fiber, etc.
• Water twice a day, in the morning and evening, with a moderate amount of water to prevent wilting or waterlogging.
• Apply organic and manure fertilizer to plum trees, approximately 2 - 3 times per month.
• Prioritize fertilization during the rainy season.
• After each soil change for the tree, about 3 - 4 months, apply additional manure, livestock, and poultry manure.

Post-Tet Plum Blossom Care

To ensure the continued growth of plum trees after Tet and even flowering in the next season, you should pay attention to the following care instructions:

• Prune upper branches shorter than lower branches, following the natural shape of the tree, and remove ⅓ of the branches.
• It is advisable to prune branches before the 15th day of the lunar month, at the latest by the 20th.
• Use a strong water hose to clean plum trees, preventing moss and mold from clinging.

You can use a strong water hose to remove moss and mold from the trunk of the tree. Alternatively, you can use concentrated urea fertilizer sprayed onto the tree (without letting it flow down to the base), wait for 10 minutes, then brush off the mold using a strong brush.

Stunning Tet 2023 Plum Blossom Images

Here is a detailed introduction to plum blossoms, their characteristics, origins, meanings, and commonly grown varieties. If you need to buy artificial plum blossoms for decorating your home on important occasions like Tet holiday, don't forget to visit Mytour to purchase high-quality products at great prices, with fast delivery and a host of attractive offers.