The flower companies in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province are embracing a peak season from mid-December with 180,000 pots of Cymbidium orchids ready for shipment to destinations across the country as the Chinese New Year nears.
The Chinese New Year, which falls on January 29, 2025, is a traditional holiday that people celebrate with family reunion among flowers, fireworks and good food.
Cymbidium orchids, also known as boat orchids, are a popular choice among Chinese. Their elegant blooms symbolize prosperity and well-being, and their winter-spring blooming season perfectly aligns with the festive period.
At a flower farm in Songming County, workers recently have been busy pruning, packaging, and shipping the blooms as consumer demand is growing ahead of the Spring Festival in the upcoming January.
"Pink, yellow, and red are the most popular colors. We have over thirty varieties on offer," said Zhang Huayou, head of a local flower farm.
The orchids are shipped when their buds are just about to open, ensuring they reach retailers in perfect condition and extend their shelf life.
While the orchids remain a classic choice for the Spring Festival, consumer preferences are evolving. This year, smaller-sized varieties and mixed floral arrangements are gaining popularity and seeing increased sales.
"Australian Dendrobiums and Oncidiums are also selling well. Smaller plants take up less space so we can display them densely and increase the volume of flowers we produce. The sales of smaller plants are gradually growing this year," said Che Lirong, head of another flower farm.
Sales for cymbidium orchids rise as Chinese New Year nears
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
