Flower sales bloom in Jiangsu for the upcoming Lunar New Year

Flower vendors in east China's Jiangsu Province are picking up profits as sales increase for the popular Spring Festival gift.

At Xiaxi Flower and Tree Market in Jiangsu Province's Changzhou City, one of China's largest flower and tree trading markets, more than 300 merchants are sorting, packing, and loading flowers for delivery ahead of the Lunar New Year on February 1.

Merchants say moth orchids have been a top-seller as they invoke a cozy and festive atmosphere when families gather during Spring Festival.

This year, a pot of ten moth orchids sells for about 400 yuan (62.8 U.S. dollars), an increase of about 15 percent from last year, according to merchants.

Flower shop owners say sales have been on the rise this year.

"We have been receiving orders constantly. Currently, we have at least 5,000 orders. Last year, we sold more than three-million-yuan worth of goods in 20 days [during the Spring Festival sales season]. We will have no problem selling five-million-yuan worth of goods this year," said Wang Yinhua, a flower merchant.

According to the market, this year's Spring Festival sales season began about two weeks ahead of schedule.

To meet the demand, the market has more than 10 million bonsais in stock at present.

"This year, we are focusing more on flowerpot craftmanship. With different pot selections and flower designs, we can enhance the overall effect of the Spring Festival flowers with more artistic sensibilities," said Liu Cheng, deputy general manager of Xiaxi Flower and Tree Market. Vendors say currently, flower sales are primarily for business' public spaces, like hotel and restaurant lobbies, or in shopping malls. Family customers are expected to buy flowers starting around January 15, about two weeks ahead of the Spring Festival.