Pingtan daffodils blooming gently in the field breeze

Pingtan, a coastal island in Fujian Province and an important native source of daffodils with unique cross-Straits advantages and international tourism island status, welcomes its daffodil sales season as Lichun (Start of Spring) arrives. These elegant flowers, known as the "Fairy on the Waves" for their pure white petals, green leaves and golden centers, have been a symbol of the island's culture for over 300 years and hold a national geographical indication certification since 2013.

The island's daffodils boast a glorious past. First recorded in local chronicles during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, they were identified as a unique Chinese daffodil variety in the late 1970s, marking the start of its cultivation journey. The flowers once graced major floral events at home and abroad, winning accolades like the "Excellent Variety of Chinese Daffodils" and a top prize at the 1992 Hong Kong International Flower Show. At its peak in 2003, cultivation area exceeded 1,000 mu (about 66.7 hectares), making it a festive favourite in markets in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

However, the industry faced a sharp decline over a decade later, with planting area dropping to less than 60 mu by 2016 due to weak brand recognition and fierce competition from other regions. "Many farmers left the trade as good flowers failed to fetch good prices," recalled Chen Shaolan, a veteran in the industry and leader of the Pingtan Flower Association.

Exquisitely carved Pingtan daffodils

Pingtan daffodil bulbs potted in proper quantities

The revival began after the establishment of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, which launched supportive policies including an annual 800,000-yuan special fund since 2018. Adopting the "three plantings and three harvests" model, local farmers and enterprises nurture high-quality bulbs over three years. Ding Liping, a post-90s "second-generation flower grower," expanded sales channels via e-commerce and live streaming, tapping into overseas markets like Vietnam and Singapore, with expected 2025 sales exceeding 3 million yuan.

Shell carving artworks themed on Pingtan daffodils

Scientific innovation has further boosted the industry. Cooperation with Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University led to technologies enabling year-round blooming, while 2,000 bulbs of 12 foreign varieties from the Netherlands were introduced for breeding trials. Cultural integration has added value: Zhou Ming, an inheritor of Pingtan shell carving, creates daffodil-themed artworks that sold over 600 pieces last year, and the annual Pingtan Daffodil Culture Festival has become a key platform for trade and exchange.

Visitors taking photos in the daffodil fields

Today, cultivation area has rebounded to approximately 550 mu. Peng Shengyi, an expert from the China Flower Association, suggested promoting "daffodil+" integrated development by strengthening industrial foundations, enhancing technological support, deepening cultural-tourism integration and building brand advantages. Pingtan plans to expand planting scale, develop more cultural and creative products, and explore agritourism integration to make the "Fairy on the Waves" a shining business card for the international tourism island.

(Source: Fujian Daily)