More than 12 species of 7,000 butterfly orchids are now in full bloom at a 3,000-square-meter greenhouse in Rudong county, Nantong, Jiangsu province. The flowers were preserved, but are not selling well due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

Wang Haijun, who manages the greenhouse, has been planting flowers for over 10 years. He said that a total of 20,000 butterfly orchids were cultivated last year and that 7,000 of them were expected to be sold after the Spring Festival.

The butterfly orchid gets its name from its beautiful butterfly-like appearance and is known as "the queen of orchids". It usually sells well around the Spring Festival and can be sold for prices as high as 400 yuan ($57.38) per pot.

But this year, some orders have been cancelled and the local flower markets have not resumed operations due to the virus outbreak. In addition, the flowers require a constant temperature and humidity while growing, increasing costs.

According to Wang, April and May are often the best time to cultivate seedlings of butterfly orchids. However, the poor sales are leading to a lack of money for purchasing new seedlings and places to cultivate them.

If you love flowers and want to buy butterfly orchids from Wang's greenhouse, you can call him at 18094371069.

More than 12 species of 7,000 butterfly orchids are in full bloom at a 3,000-square-meter greenhouse in Rudong county, Nantong. [Photo/ntfabu.com]