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WITH only days remaining before Chinese New Year, plant nurseries across the city are awash in vibrant hues of red, yellow and orange, as customers make last-minute purchases to usher in prosperity and good fortune.
A visit to Katsura Garden and Bonsai Centre in Jalan Sutera Danga, Taman Sutera Utama, revealed rows of miniature mandarin orange trees laden with fruit lining the entrance, interspersed with golden chrysanthemums and bamboo plants, creating a festive welcome for shoppers.
Nursery owner Chong Ren Kiat, 31, said demand for mandarin orange trees and decorative plants has remained consistently strong, with orders arriving as early as two months before the celebration. To meet the surge, he sourced additional stock from Ipoh, Perak.
“Each year, there are customers who come early. For mandarin orange trees, most will choose those that have already turned orange. However, those who prepare earlier will select trees with green fruit so that they ripen at home closer to the festive day.
“The fruit is symbolic. The more fruit on the tree, the more people believe it brings ‘ong’ (good fortune) to the homeowner,” he told Bernama.
In addition to mandarin orange trees, the nursery offers a wide selection of decorative plants, including chrysanthemums, bamboo, bonsai and other ornamental varieties favoured for home and business premises during the festive season.
Chong said sales in the lead-up to Chinese New Year have increased significantly compared with ordinary days, providing a welcome seasonal boost for local nursery operators.
“Customer traffic is increasing day by day, especially as we approach the final week before the celebration,” he said.
Despite the bustle of business, Chong added that his own family has not neglected preparations for the upcoming festivities, even as they attend to the growing stream of customers. - - February 15, 2025
