Hong Kong is about to rejoice its first Lunar New 12 months subsequent month since COVID-19 ­pandemic restrictions have been lifted. Flower farmer Leung Yat-shun planted his fields of gladioli and lilies final November in hopes of cashing in on the celebrations. However the current chilly climate proved a blow after weeks of dry circumstances.

Now, the 72-year-old wholesaler is now not optimistic about ringing in bumper gross sales forward of the 12 months of the Dragon, which begins on February 10. The climate not solely delayed his harvest however was additionally more likely to shrink the output of flowers match to promote.

He predicted he would find yourself with a yield of solely 30 p.c of the 100,000 stalks of gladioli and 50,000 stalks of oriental “relax” lilies he planted, in contrast with 50 p.c in a mean yr.

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