Flower power in China

BEIJING--As Beijing feverishly prepares to host the 2008 Olympics, even the city's flowers are being brought into line.

The city government is trying to delay or advance the blooming of certain types of flowers so that they all blossom in August, in time for the Games.
They plan to let foreigners see the flowers at their best.
Beihai Park in central Beijing, famous for its lotus and chrysanthemums, is one of several key locations where officials are meddling with nature. Usually the best season for lotus is July. But by raising the water level of the pond by 20 centimeters, the government hopes to delay the bloom by a month.

The blossoming of potted lotus, meanwhile, will be delayed artificially through the adjustment of temperatures. In addition, a late-blooming variety of lotus that usually blossoms in August will be planted.

A different tack needs to be taken with chrysanthemums, which usually bloom in November. The officials believe they will be able to make the flowers bloom a full three months in advance.

ATSUSHI AKUTSU THE ASAHI SHIMBUN (IHT/Asahi: May 24,2007) http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200705240067.html


This project is interesting. I hope this will succeed and Olympic too.