A rare red longan mutation bringing luck and prosperity from the hands of a Vinh Long farmer

The trend of using red longan for Lunar New Year decoration is becoming a new sensation, bringing lucky red hues and unique beauty to family spaces during the early days of the spring.

Exquisite mutant red longan bringing luck and fortune from the hands of a Vĩnh Long farmer

Red longan for Tet: both for decoration and serving guests. Photo: T.Đ

In the vibrant picture of the Western region's ornamental plant market every spring, alongside brilliant yellow apricot blossoms or traditional raspberry chrysanthemum pots, clusters of bright red longan have recently appeared, creating an exciting new breeze. More than just a simple fruit tree, red longan has joined the ranks of the most sought-after "unique and exotic" ornamental plants, carrying hopes for a prosperous and auspicious new year.

Red longan for Tet – a "mutant" masterpiece carrying lucky colors

The story of red longan pots originates from the land of Phú Phụng, Vĩnh Long, where Mr. Hai Đê (Huỳnh Văn Dũng) has dedicated his passion to nurturing this special variety. Different from the familiar brownish-yellow skin, red longan is the result of a natural mutation from the traditional white longan tree. The most attractive feature is the characteristic bright red color covering everything from the trunk and leaves to each layer of the fruit skin, creating a luxurious and mystical beauty.

For Vietnamese people, red has always been a symbol of luck, happiness, and fortune. Therefore, owning a red longan tree during Tet at home is not just a gardening hobby but also a way for homeowners to send their wishes for a smooth start. According to Mr. Hai Đê, these trees are very easy to grow. Just plant them in a pot for a few months until the tree produces new shoots, and it can bear fruit immediately.

This year, to serve the display demand, Mr. Hai has prepared about 50 pots of red longan to supply to Tet markets. Each pot reaches an ideal height of over 1m, creating a grand appearance when placed in the living room or on the porch. With a price of about 700,000 VND for a pot that already has flowers and fruit, this is considered a reasonable investment for a vivid and durable "ornament" during the Tet holiday.

Secrets to "forcing" red longan to bloom right on schedule for Tet

To have clusters of succulent red fruit right on the 1st and 2nd days of Tet, growers must master growth control techniques. Mr. Hai Đê shared that although red longan can bear fruit naturally, to "time" it exactly for the spring season, the care process must start very early.

According to Mr. Hai Đê, from the 9th lunar month, growers need to prune the tips to stimulate

What makes the red longan hobby during Tet more special than fresh flowers is its long-term nature. After Tet passes, homeowners do not have to wastefully discard the tree. According to Mr. Hai Đê's instructions, the tree can be planted in the ground or continued to be nurtured in a larger pot; the tree will live healthily and continue to bear fruit.

This red longan variety is not only beautiful but also very prolific, as it can yield 2-3 crops per year. Although the flesh is thinner than some other longan varieties, their flavor is quite sweet and refreshing, bearing the distinctive characteristics of tropical river region fruits. Being able to hand-pick red longan fruits from the very tree one used for Tet decoration to invite guests will surely be an interesting experience, enhancing the cozy atmosphere for family reunions.

With all the advantages ranging from color to feng shui meaning and durability, red longan is gradually asserting its position on the Tet ornamental plant map.