"The cherry blossoms are all in full bloom with the arrival of spring and we really expect to harvest a bumper crop this year. In the village of Shanzhaolijia in Yantai, in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong, a group of cherry tree growers are at work in their greenhouses.
Wang Weizhi, owner of 12 high-end greenhouses, said that cherry cultivation has led to a significant increase in income for local farmers. They once harvested large cherries with a diameter of over 32 mm and sold them at the high price of 220 yuan ($30.58) per pound.
Asked about the secrets of success, Wang said that the farmers use advanced technology to strictly control the temperature, humidity and light in the greenhouses.
"We have provided the cherry trees with the most favourable growing environment," Wang said. "We keep the temperature difference at 13°C to make the cherries sweeter. The sugar content of our products is generally around 24-25%, with a maximum of 29%."
Wang said that all fertilisers used are organic and of high quality, so the cherries taste great and are nutritionally complete.
Greenhouses can be subdivided into 'cold greenhouses' and 'warm greenhouses' according to their different location and the natural light received. Cherries grown in 'hot greenhouses' will be available for sale in early April, while the ripening time of cherries in 'cold greenhouses' can be artificially adjusted according to actual market demand.
Wang has recently introduced a new form of cherry tree called 'one stick' in its greenhouses. Equipped with short fruiting branches, these trees can enter a highly productive period earlier than normal ones, without the quality of their fruit being affected.
Embarking on a new path of rural revitalisation, Wang Weizhi and other local fruit growers are keen to further expand the cultivation scale and improve the quality of their produce, as well as increase their brand awareness.
Source: Shangdong China Daily
Image: Growing Fruit
06 Nov 2025
Vignola's fruit consortia renew leadership after Andrea Bernardi's passing. Lenzarini and Cavani take over, aiming for continuity, innovation and unity while enhancing the territory and supporting IGP cherries and plums across the local agri-food system.
19 Sep 2024
A study by Chinese and American researchers analyzed the effectiveness of different perforation levels in zipper-lock bags to extend the freshness of “Chelan” and “Lapins” sweet cherry cultivars. The goal was to reduce the weight loss and improve resistance during post-harvest.
17 Mar 2026
Research in New Zealand and Australia examines how rain, protective covers, humidity and calcium affect cherry firmness and fruit quality. The project aims to help growers manage increasingly unpredictable weather and safeguard high-value export markets worldwide today.
17 Mar 2026
Research conducted at the Agricultural Business College in Shaoxing, China compares different tree competition indices used in plantations. The study evaluates how spatial factors, tree size and environmental conditions influence growth dynamics and forest management strategies.
