Flower power backs Zhangzhou growth (2)

"Many flowers are marketed to homes, companies and road greening, but not government offices," said the director of the flower office, Lin Biqiang, explaining why Zhangzhou has been little affected by a recent national drive to curb government spending on ostentatious activities such as sumptuous banquets.

Daffodils have been part of the Zhangzhou landscape since as early as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when they took up residence, encouraged by the perfect growing conditions, and were soon being called lingbo xianzi (fairies walking over ripples).

Zhang Wenjiang is secretary-general of the Zhangzhou Daffodil Association and a daffodil sculptor. (In this floral art form, the plants are delicately preened to take on the shape of animals or other life forms or objects.) Born in a small town called Baihuacun (Hundred-flower village), Zhang witnessed the heyday of Zhangzhou daffodil growing 10 years ago when 800 hectares were under cultivation.

Every hectare yields about 67,000 daffodil bulbs, and winter flowers bearing the Zhangzhou brand can be found all over the country.

"The word daffodil is on Zhangzhou's name card, and 98 percent of the national supply comes from here," Zhang said. "Almost every Spring Festival, our daffodils are in short supply because of the huge demand."

Daffodils are particularly appreciated by the Chinese during Spring Festival, and exports go to Chinese communities worldwide, Zhang said.

Twenty percent of the annual yield is sold overseas, 75 percent of that going to Southeast Asia and the rest to Europe and the United States.

The area under cultivation for daffodils has been reined in to less than 500 hectares, making room for flowers with bigger returns.

Although daffodils need to be planted for three years before being dug out for sale, a regular bulb is priced at no more than 5 yuan in Zhangzhou.

Locals are trying to add more value to the flower by sculpting it into various styles, so its value can soar to more than 50 yuan.

But a lack of capital is a serious hindrance the expansion of the flower industry in the city. Most growers have little in the way of fixed assets, so getting bank loans is difficult. To get investment, Zhangzhou government officials have traveled the world showing off flowers and doing other promotional work.

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