The flower of cempasuchil, emblem of Day of the Dead, is going through a difficult time Xochimilco, south of Mexico City. The combination of torrential rains and periods of drought, associated with climate change, has put those who have been cultivating it for generations in a difficult position.
This season, part of the sector is reporting very sharp losses: some farms have disappeared. Up to the middle of his harvest, and others hover around 30%The losses, compounded by the cost of inputs such as fertilizersThey threaten not only the local economy, but also a tradition deeply rooted.
The flower of the Day of the Dead
Also known as Mexican marigoldThe marigold occupies a central place on the altars: its petals, of an intense orange, are considered guide for the souls returning home. This symbolic weight makes it an essential part of the festival that honors the ancestors.
In Xochimilco, the you sow they start in July so that the cut matches the end of OctoberThis planning, passed down from parents to children, has been disrupted by meteorological anomalies increasingly frequent.
A season marked by the weather
Unusually high rainfall and dry spells have favored the emergence of plagues and diseasescomplicating the campaign and increasing handling costs.
Producers like Ortiz They estimate drops of around 30%, while others admit losses close to 50%. The variability It complicates forecasting and pushes many to rethink schedules and practices.
A farmer, LuciaThis sums up the situation: getting the plants to thrive without sufficient access to fertilizers was a challenge and, sometimes, the marigold barely leaves margin to cover expenses. As she explains, it's not uncommon for a bad spell of weather to leave the family in the red.
Science and tradition, hand in hand
Very close to the fields operates the Toxinachcal seed bank, where they are preserved native varieties of multiple species, including one score of types of marigolds. Its objective is to offer real tools to adapt to more extreme conditions.
Biologist Clara Soto warns that many farms have opted for hybrid seeds imported, more uniform and easier to sell, but with less resilienceIn contrast, local varieties hold a genetic diversity which improves its response to changing climates and pests.
If extreme weather persists, the bank intends to accompany the agricultores with lines more resistant, selected and cultivated in Mexico for centuries. For producers, who combine inherited knowledge and scientific solutions, that collaboration It can make a difference in the coming cycles.
Although the situation is complex, the drive of the Xochimilco community and the support of the science They aim to keep alive the flower that illuminates the altars. Amid rains, droughts, and new seed trials, the marigold remains, for many, a symbol that refuses to disappear.
