Conghua boasts over 800 varieties of succulent plants
Located on the Tropic of Cancer, Conghua district of Guangzhou, the capital of South China's Guangdong province, enjoys great natural advantages in developing the floral industry. Since 2000, a floral production base featuring bonsai, succulent potted plants and ornamental tree seedlings has been formed in the district with a planting area of 35,000 mu (2,333.33 hectares).
Its output of small-potted plants, including over 800 succulent varieties, occupies 60 percent of the domestic market.
Succulent plants are hailed as "low-carbon flowers" for their multiple functions of improving the environment and purifying the air. They also inspire artistic creation. Compared with traditional flowers, succulent plants have longer viewing periods, are easier to manage and have richer forms and colors. They can be used in multiple scenarios and thus have very broad market prospects.
Developing in scale
The development of succulent planting in Conghua started in enterprises that mostly located in Chengjiao subdistrict and Lyutian town and have formed a complete production and sales chain of succulents.
According to the general manager of Zhengxin Gardening, a major succulent production company in Conghua, their annual output of succulent plants is approximately 4 million pots, accounts for over 70 percent of Guangdong's total output and has an output value of 31 million yuan ($4.78 million).
With further support from the district government, local succulent enterprises have obtained financial support such as subsidies for greenhouse facilities transformation, drainage construction and landscaping at science popularization bases. Their production environment and supporting facilities have been greatly improved and the industry is heading towards better intensification and larger scale.
Focusing on premium quality
In Zhengxin Gardening, the grafting section, seedling section, finished product section and retailing section are operated with clear division of work and supervised by different professionals.
After twenty years of exploration, the company has established a series of standardized production processes including precision seedling raising, greenhouse temperature control and 24-hour quality monitoring to ensure the premium quality of the succulent plants. It attached equal importance to the standardized transportation to maintain the product quality at the sales end. High-end equipment was purchased to fully regulate the potted planting temperature, water and air environment.
Based on mature technology, the company has formed effective plant disease control and response measures. Daily inspections of the plants are conducted so that any signs of disease can be spotted and treated in time.
Online and offline synchronous sales
Apart from wholesale and tourism-related retail sales, the succulent companies in Conghua have explored online sales channels in recent years.
In response to the soaring development of livestreaming sales, the companies all started exploring streaming sales channels by conducting online teaching on growing techniques and variety matching. In the peak sales season, about 40,000 to 50,000 pieces will be sold on livestreaming platforms per month.
Furthermore, Zhengxin Gardening has integrated succulent DIY into their agricultural tours. With a full series of tour facilities and services, tourists can learn about the succulent plants from professionals and DIY their own pots. The creation of a succulent DIY business is another attempt of the district floral industry to integrate agriculture and tourism and increase social benefits.