Singaporean woman pays $3,888 for potted CNY plant
S'porean businesswoman splurges $3,888 on potted peach blossom plant
Would you pay $3,888 for a plant?
Well, a Singaporean businesswoman in her 50s did.
She forked out the money for a 2.7m-tall, 42-year-old potted peach blossom at a shop in Yio Chu Kang.
The peach blossom, which is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the Chinese New Year, now sits at a choice spot in front of the signage of her office.
The businesswoman, who declined to be named but said she lives in a landed property in the east, frequents Mr Wu Ming Hong's shop every year looking for the best peach blossoms, chrysanthemum, begonia and miniature orange trees.
The plants are part of her CNY decor at her home and office.
EXPENSIVE
She spent an average of $2,000 each time previously. This year's peach blossom is her most expensive purchase.
She said it has always been her passion and hobby to care for plants.
It is also a family tradition to buy Chinese New Year plants.
She told TNP: "The Chinese believe that the peach blossoms will bring luck and prosperity. I buy them every year and I hope it will help us establish our plans and allow our business to expand."
Mr Wu, who owns fruit and vegetable shop 717 Trading, sold it to her in the middle of last month.
It was the most expensive plant he has sold. The second most expensive plant he has sold is a 20-year-old potted peach blossom to the same buyer for $2,888 last year.
He sells smaller potted peach blossoms at $20 to $30, while the larger ones go for between $700 and $800.
Because peach blossoms are rare here, he believes that this is the oldest and most valuable potted peach blossom plant in Singapore.
For his CNY sales every year, the 40-year-old imports plants from different provinces in China.
He set his sights on this particular peach blossom last year at a farm in Guangzhou, China, but his offer to buy it was rejected several times.
This year, the owner finally agreed to sell Mr Wu the peach blossom, on one condition. Other than the undisclosed price, Mr Wu had to send over a Spondias Dulcis seedling, better known to locals as "buah long long".
The peach blossom was sent to Mr Wu's shop three weeks ago.
He told The New Paper: "It requires a lot of patience, meticulous care and attention for it to bloom nicely."
The peach blossom needs to be watered daily, up to two times, if it is hot. It also needs to be pruned to remove unwanted leaves.
He said: "It is just like running a business."
I buy them every year and I hope it will help us establish our plans and allow our business to expand.
- A Singaporean businesswoman in her 50s, who declined to be named, on paying $3,888 for a 42-year-old potted peach blossom
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
