The main forms of cucumber cultivation in solar greenhouse
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Solar greenhouses are a distinctive type of protected agricultural structure that originated in China. Unlike many modern greenhouses, they were developed by local farmers and have evolved based on regional geography and climate conditions. As a result, there is no standardized technical specification or uniform design across the country. The structural differences between solar greenhouses vary significantly from one region to another.
In terms of front roof shape, solar greenhouses can generally be classified into two main types: semi-arched and one-slope vertical. The semi-arched type includes structures with a 1/4 circle, 1/4 ellipse, parabola, or double-arc roof. These designs are commonly used for growing crops like cucumbers. Based on the rear wall and slope configuration, semi-arched greenhouses can further be divided into four categories: short rear wall (less than 1 meter), long back slope (2–3 meters), high rear wall (more than 1.5 meters with a short back slope), and high rear wall without a back slope or with a long back slope (over 3 meters). However, for cucumber cultivation, the first three types are more frequently used.
The one-slope vertical greenhouse, also known as the inclined and vertical type, was originally derived from traditional single-slope glass greenhouses. It uses bamboo poles as arch supports and features a thin film covering the front roof, making construction simpler and more cost-effective. This allows for a wider span and higher front windows. For example, the Wafangdian vertical solar greenhouse has a span of 8–9 meters, a ridge height of 2.4–2.5 meters, and a front window height of 0.8 meters. However, this design has limitations, such as a smaller daylighting angle, slower temperature rise, and reduced insulation performance.
In contrast, vertical and horizontal solar greenhouses found in Shenyang and surrounding northern areas typically have spans exceeding 6 meters, with a front window height of about 0.6 meters and a ridge height of 2.3–2.4 meters. During Winter, only cold-resistant vegetables like Yelai (a type of leafy vegetable) can be grown, and temporary heating is often required to maintain optimal growing conditions. Since the mid-1980s, significant improvements have been made to the daylighting and thermal insulation systems of these greenhouses, enhancing their efficiency and adaptability to different climates.