Growers in Mexico City have produced a record 10 million cempasúchil, the orange marigolds used in Day of the Dead offerings, an increase of almost 54 per cent on last year, Mexico News Daily reports.
Most were raised on the chinampas, the farmed artificial islands of Xochimilco in the south of the capital. The city government put more than 8 million pesos into direct support for 597 producers, along with seeds, pots, compost and work on roads and growing areas. Xochimilco’s borough head said the help was important for farmers recovering from flood damage.
The plants are on sale in all 16 boroughs for 15 to 30 pesos each, and buyers are encouraged to look for a Green Seal showing sustainable production. A 30-metre Catrina figure surrounded by 100,000 of the flowers will stand in the Zócalo from 30 October to 2 November.
Source: Mexico News Daily
Photo: Av. de la Republica, Mexico City 2020 by Carlos Valenzuela, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Illustrative image of Mexico City.
