Propagation Methods

Tea is first planted from a seed or a rooted leaf cutting. The seeds are first soak in water for 30 minutes. You can tell which seeds are of higher quality because they will sink to the bottom. To germinate the seeds, they lie between wet cloths. Successfully germinated seeds are moved to a nursery bed for 2-3 years. The plants are trimmed down to 15 cm before they are transplanted to the field. Another process of growing new plants is leaf cutting. A cut is taken from the chosen variety and firmly pressed into soil, which is all held inside a polyethylene bag. The bags then go to a shaded area and are often watered. After around 6-9 months, the tea plants will be planted in the field. Tea plants are planted as single and double rows or as a hedge. When plants are on slopes it is helpful for the rows to be contour. They should be planted 24 inches apart with 5 feet in between each row. It is a good idea for legumes and grasses to be planted around to keep moisture levels in the soil and prevent soil erosion. At lower altitudes, trees are used for shade.