Watermelons growing in the air in Huzhou

chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: May 13, 2021

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A farmer harvests watermelons growing vertically in a farm situated in Kangqian sub-district, Huzhou's Deqing county. [Photo/hz66.com]

Watermelons growing vertically in a farm in Huzhou recently entered their harvest season.

Growing melons vertically can make better use of space when compared with the conventional method of growing along the ground.

An additional advantage of this growing method is that it can increase the output by nearly 50 percent, according to She Guoxing, owner of the farm, which is situated in Kangqian sub-district in Deqing county.

Melons grown in the air are also more symmetrical and won't show the flat, discolored patch that usually develops where the fruit sits on the ground.

In addition, they possess ornamental value and are easy to harvest. Each year, more than half of the melons from the farm are sold to the provincial capital city of Hangzhou, She said.

By partnering with Zhejiang University, the farm has adopted digital technology like automated irrigation, remote data collection, and smart temperature control in the agricultural production process.

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