The Gu Feng Family Farm in Lanxi uses pink greenhouses for waxberry cultivation. [Photo/Tide News]
This year, the Gu Feng Family Farm in Lanxi — a county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province — has drawn much attention with its pink greenhouses, diverging from the traditional blue and white varieties.
Farm manager Fang Fengqing explained that the pink film was installed last November. "It acts like a filter, selecting beneficial solar wavelengths," she said.
This special film retains the sunlight wavelengths most conducive to waxberry growth, accelerating the accumulation of anthocyanins and sugars in the fruit. Compared to standard films, this can advance the ripening period by seven to 10 days, allowing earlier market entry and potentially higher quality produce.
The pink greenhouses exemplify the shift from extensive to precise cultivation in Lanxi's waxberry farming. Smart technologies have become integral: automated temperature control systems adjust ventilation based on conditions, and smartphone-controlled drip irrigation provides water as needed, enhancing quality standards.
To minimize herbicide use, the farm employs ducks and geese as natural weeders. These animals consume weeds, provide organic fertilizer through droppings, and their honks deter squirrels from eating the waxberry seeds, achieving multiple benefits for greener, healthier produce.
From technological innovation to ecological farming and precise management, the Gu Feng Family Farm is setting a new benchmark for Lanxi's waxberry industry.
