Guo Lei's greenhouse in Dongxingxing, Shandong province. (Photo/Official Weibo of CCTV-2)

Guo Lei, a former Chinese diplomat, has found an unexpected second career growing vegetables in the village of Dongxingxing in Shandong province.

While ordinary greenhouses produce four to eight seasons of leafy vegetables each year, the number is 18 in Guo's greenhouses. Guo's secret comes from Israel. He was surprised by Israel's soil-free cultivation technology during his time there; after returning, he eventually decided to start his own business utilizing similar technology.

Guo Lei works in his greenhouse in Dongxingxing, Shandong province. (Photo/Official Weibo of CCTV-2)

Guo found a partner in Israel in 2015. He then built a series of greenhouses in Shandong using imported equipment and technology. Guo's vegetables are cultivated without any soil whatsover, but with nutrient solutions. Each vegetable recives its own tailored nutritional "meals," along with regular physical examinations. Computers automatically adjust the nutrient solution ratio in accordance with the results of each examination.

Guo Lei's greenhouse in Dongxingxing, Shandong province. (Photo/Official Weibo of CCTV-2)

Guo's 15,000-square-meter operation is divided into five sheds. Three contain leafy vegetables and utilize the Israeli technology; the other two support tomatoes and strawberries using technologies from the Netherlands and Britain. Advanced technology and equipment have ensured extraordinary cultivation efficiency in all of Guo's greenhouses. 

Guo Lei's greenhouse in Dongxingxing, Shandong province. (Photo/Official Weibo of CCTV-2)