Binh Dinh yellow apricot blossoms are a popular type of flower enjoyed during the Lunar New Year by many people across the country. Historically, Binh Dinh's yellow apricot trees grew and bloomed on high mountainous terrain, forming clusters of yellow apricot forests. Cultivating yellow apricot blossoms in Binh Dinh has been a long-standing tradition, but it only significantly developed into a commodity production industry from 1975 to the present. Flower enthusiasts choose products based on the criteria: "First the base, second the trunk, third the branches, fourth the buds". Binh Dinh yellow apricot trees are uniquely characterized by roots that emerge right from the ground, with gnarled and bumpy roots and bases. The branches spread evenly in all directions, creating a flat, spreading shape. 

 Photo 1: Binh Dinh Yellow Apricot 

The distinctiveness and reputation of Binh Dinh yellow apricot blossoms are attributable to the natural geographical conditions and the local people's accumulated experience in their cultivation.
The geographical area lies within a tropical climate zone, thus receiving abundant solar radiation, with a high average annual air temperature, which favors the photosynthetic process of plants. The high air temperature leads to high ground temperature. To accommodate this characteristic, Binh Dinh yellow apricot growers mix alluvial soil taken from the geographical area with shredded coconut fiber and sand. The soil has a slightly acidic to acidic reaction, suitable for root system development, which, combined with specific production methods, helps to keep the soil in pots well-aerated. This allows the fine root system of Bình Định yellow apricot trees to develop well, which is a prerequisite for creating a beautiful root base.
In other regions (Phu Yen, Dong Thap), yellow apricot saplings are typically transferred from the field to pots when they are 1-2 years old. However, in Binh Dinh, saplings are potted when they are around 9 months old. This earlier transplanting from field to pot facilitates root care for the growers. Furthermore, unlike other regions that use wire to shape the trees, in Binh Dinh, growers only use bamboo stakes and bamboo strips. Using only soft materials like bamboo stakes and strips to shape the trunk and branches makes canopy creation easier, allowing the canopy to spread evenly in all four directions and horizontally. The technique of shaping and pruning the tree using soft materials at each stage of its growth inhibits its overall growth. 

Photo 2: In Binh Dinh, bamboo stakes and bamboo strips are used as flexible materials to bend and shape the trees
  

Photo 3: Other localities use steel wire, a harder material than bamboo, to shape the trees 

In Binh Dinh, there are two key times for fertilization: January and from August to October in the lunar calendar. In January (after Lunar New Year), people who grow apricot trees will apply fertilizer to stimulate root growth. Strong development of rootlets helps growers create beautiful root systems for Binh Dinh yellow apricot trees. From August to October in the lunar calendar, fertilizer with a higher potassium content is applied to inhibit sprouting and prepare for flower bud differentiation.
The combination of natural elements and long-standing production methods has created the reputation and unique characteristics of Binh Dinh yellow apricot blossoms.
The geographical area includes: Quy Nhon city, An Nhon town, Hoai Nhon town, Van Canh district, Tuy Phuoc district, Phu Cat district, Tay Son district, Phu My district, Vinh Thanh district, Hoai An district, and An Lao district, all belonging to Binh Dinh province. 

Source: Bảo hộ chỉ dẫn địa lý “Bình Định” cho sản phẩm cây mai vàng 
Translator: Nguyễn Hải Phong