fabricflowers

For years people have marveled at the flowers sold by members of Catawba Countys Jackie and Ge Xiong family at the Conover Hickory, and Charlotte Kings Drive farmers markets.The flowers are incredible: brilliant colors, huge blooms, long stems and priced well below what one would expect to pay for flowers so perfect that they prompt double-takes and exclamations of, Are those real

What some might consider even more impressive is the family behind the flowers. Jackies the father Ge the mother and there are several grown children and a daughter-in-law who help with the farm, as well as work or attend school.

Der Xiong, for example, works full-time as the immigrant program coordinator at Catawba Countys cooperative extension office. During her spare time Der Xiong, 23, and her siblings help their parents especially Ge, whom the family considers the boss of the flower operation. From sun-up to after dark seven days a week Ge tends her “babies,” as Der called them.We hope one day we will hire someone else,” Jackie said with a smile, looking forward to making enough money to employ helpers especially because the kids are grown and starting lives of their own. One day, Jackie and Ge likely won’t have all their offspring close who has a degree from UNC Greensboro said one of her siblings already is married. The others likely will follow suit, then move away from home.

Jackie sells flowers at the Conover market, the three sons and a daughter-in-law at the Hickory market and the three daughters at the Charlotte market.