Jiangxi imperial chrysanthemums introduced to Jiaozhou, villagers make a fortune growing them and earn a million yuan a year making chrysanthemum tea
Imperial chrysanthemum is hailed as the finest of chrysanthemum teas, and the most famous comes from Wuyuan, Jiangxi. Three years ago, Song Libin, a 50-year-old villager from Xizhu Village, Jiaoxi Town, Jiaozhou, introduced Jiangxi imperial chrysanthemums to Mingshan Ridge in Jiaozhou. Over the three years, the planting area expanded from just over ten mu to 50 mu. Now these 50 mu of imperial chrysanthemums have entered full bloom. Song Libin is seizing the moment to pick the flowers at full speed while also running full tilt making chrysanthemum tea. In about a week, residents of the island city will be able to taste imperial chrysanthemums that are "locally grown."
On site: imperial chrysanthemums bloom across the hills
Yesterday, the reporter came to the imperial chrysanthemum planting base in Gaoshangou Village, Zhangying Community, Licha Town. Large stretches of imperial chrysanthemums had entered full bloom, divided by rows of walnut trees, and a fresh fragrance could be smelled from far away. The reporter noticed that each imperial chrysanthemum plant can produce over a hundred flowers. Golden in color with full petals, the imperial chrysanthemums bloomed vibrantly at the tips of the stems, while the female workers carried bamboo baskets on their left arms and skillfully placed the chrysanthemums into the baskets with their right hands.
"I discovered this business opportunity while traveling in the south, and I never expected that after two years of trial planting, it would actually succeed," said Song Libin. Three years ago, he traveled to Wuyuan, Jiangxi, and saw imperial chrysanthemums being planted on a large scale there. Because of their high quality, the market price was not cheap either, which made him feel this was a rare business opportunity, so he brought back some imperial chrysanthemum seedlings and planted them on the ridge land of Mingshan Ridge. Due to a lack of management experience, most of the imperial chrysanthemums withered at first. Although the remaining imperial chrysanthemums bloomed, both their number and diameter were far inferior to those in the south. To grow imperial chrysanthemums well, he traveled south to Wuyuan many times to consult local growers. After two years of trial planting, he gradually figured out the growth habits of imperial chrysanthemums, and the planting area also expanded to more than 50 mu. Because of a later period of drought and little rain, in order to ensure the water the imperial chrysanthemums needed, he dug four 100-meter-deep wells on the ridge land. Combined with proper field management, these imperial chrysanthemums ushered in full bloom.
Returns: making chrysanthemum tea earns a million yuan a year
"This year the imperial chrysanthemums have grown very well, with flower diameters between 3-6 cm, very suitable for making chrysanthemum tea. After picking, the imperial chrysanthemums are dried in the traditional way and sold to markets in various places. This year, an income of over a million is no problem." Song Libin picked several imperial chrysanthemums and cheerfully told the reporter about his recipe for wealth. According to Song Libin, there is no pollution around his planting base, and with clear water surrounding it and ample sunlight, it fits the growing conditions for yellow chrysanthemums very well. Traditional farming methods were used during the planting process. During drying, imperial chrysanthemums with full shapes are selected and laid flat in mesh boxes, and the fuel used for baking must be wood, so that the chrysanthemums baked this way have a purer flavor and better color. With the right temperature controlled, they are dehydrated for 8 hours, then dried for 16 hours, and finally cooled and shaped.
Song Libin said that about two thousand imperial chrysanthemum plants are planted per mu, and each imperial chrysanthemum plant can bloom with over a hundred flowers. The 50 mu of imperial chrysanthemums bloom with at least several million flowers. Calculated at one yuan per flower, that is at least an income of a million yuan. For premium imperial chrysanthemums, the flower diameter must be at least five or six cm, with 7 cm being the best. The price per flower ranges from several dozen yuan to over a hundred yuan. More than 3,000 fresh imperial chrysanthemums are needed to dry one jin of dried product. This year's income can reach a million yuan.
Plans to expand the area and create a scenic spot
Song Libin told the reporter that China has had the custom of viewing chrysanthemums and eating chrysanthemums since ancient times. There are many ways to eat imperial chrysanthemums: they can be eaten fresh, dried, raw, or cooked, and are suitable for braising, steaming, boiling, stir-frying, roasting, and mixing. In addition, imperial chrysanthemums can also be wholesaled to flower shops, and the market returns are not low either. The next step is to develop chrysanthemum cuisine. When residents come to the base to admire the flowers, they can pick fresh chrysanthemums themselves, send them to the kitchen for processing, and then drink chrysanthemum tea, savor chrysanthemum wine, and eat chrysanthemum dishes, feasting both their eyes and their stomachs. "I plan to expand the planting scale and, relying on the beautiful scenery of Mingshan Ridge, build a hundred-mu imperial chrysanthemum garden, turning the base into a new scenic spot for residents' tourism and sightseeing." Talking about his future development ideas, Song Libin said confidently that he had just transferred more than 200 mu of ridge land this year, and the planting base at Mingshan Ridge had already reached more than 500 mu. He plans to expand imperial chrysanthemum planting to a hundred mu, build a church within the base, and plant flowers, ornamental trees, and various fruits and vegetables, achieving "fruit in two seasons, flowers in three seasons, and greenery in all four seasons," turning the base into another new sightseeing and tourism spot in Jiaozhou, exploring a new path for surrounding villagers to become wealthy and increase income, adding a good place for residents' leisure tourism, and at the same time boosting derivative supporting services such as wedding photography in the scenic area.