How to Grow Tea Seeds?
Tea, one of the most widely used beverages in the world is filled with antioxidants and comes with various other benefits. Tea is an essential and economically important beverage available in various types and flavors.
The plant is usually grown in hilly areas with chilly climates. However, if you want you can grow them at home as well. Here we will see how they grow tea seeds en masse and see if it is feasible to grow at home.
Types of Tea
Different types of tea, such as Green tea, Black tea, oolong tea, etc., all originate primarily from the same tea plant, Thea Sinensis. Of all the states with tea plantations in India, Assam is the largest producer of tea.
All processes involved in tea farming from seed selection to proper tea cultivation are important. However, seed selection and germination are highly significant.
Tea Seed Selection
The best time for tea production in India is from March to October. Every tea plant produces seeds several times annually, only those made at certain periods are considered most suitable for propagation.
Tea seeds mature from September to December and those harvested in these months are best for propagation. It is also important to plant the germinated seeds in the same season as well.
The collected seeds can stay fresh for up to two months when refrigerated. However, only 15% of the unscreened seeds are deemed viable and can produce seedlings. Therefore, they will calculate accordingly and collect enough seeds for seed germination.
Preparing Tea Seeds for Germination
At the factory, they soak the selected seeds in water for 24-48 hrs. The absorbed water helps them germinate easily. It is said that the seeds that sink deeper will get a higher yield upon cultivation.
After soaking, take them and drain them well. Later, these soaked seeds are spread on a tray under sunlight but they will keep them moist. They will wait until the seeds are at room temperature and then transfer to the germination medium. Priority is given to the seeds that have their husks broken.
- In the growing medium, these seeds are put in at least 4-inch pots and the eye of the seed is horizontally.
- Seeds are covered using plastic wrap until they germinate or sprouts appear.
- When the sprouts appear, they will keep them on for another two weeks before removing the wraps.
- They will wait until the seedlings have at least 2 sets of leaves before transplanting to another pot.
- Maintaining a constant temperature while they germinate is important. The seedlings will be kept under controlled conditions for 2-3 months before they are planted outdoors.
Tea Seed Germination Conditions
- Apart from being freshly harvested, tea seeds must fulfill other conditions for proper seed germination. They need warm humid climate conditions for germination and higher yield.
- A temperature range of 13-28 degrees and high humidity will be optimal for tea plantations in India. For areas with temperature variation, greenhouses may be set up.
- Tea plants prefer acidic well-drained soil that can retain a good amount of moisture.
- Water the roots regularly by misting and ensuring that the roots are not soaked. Keep them in the shade until they germinate.
- The time required for seed germination can be anywhere between 6-8 weeks. During this period, they are not exposed to too much sunlight and require more shade. Exposure to sunlight will be gradual.
- It will take at least 7-10 days for the transplanted seedlings to be acclimated to the outdoor conditions.
Transplantation of Tea Plants
Seedlings that have grown up to one foot in height will be transplanted to their permanent position. The fall season, right after monsoon is the best time for this transplantation process. The soil will be moist for ideal growing conditions.
These seeds will be planted 10-15 ft apart to avoid crowding. Crowding leads to stress in the plants which affects their growth. They are provided light shade during this period and their first summer.
Where to Buy Tea Seeds?
You can find tea plant seeds for sale online or in local markets. It is widely available online from Amazon, Etsy, and other online stores. It comes in packs of 10 seeds or more.
Conclusion
Tea plants undergo a dormancy period during winter which is called Winter Dormancy. During this period there will be no growth in the plants. So they must have attained sufficient growth until this period to survive the cold.
Once established, a tea plant can grow for up to three years when it achieves maturity. This is when harvesting is done. The lifespan of a tea plant can be decades and they keep producing and can undergo several harvesting over the period.
At the factory, seeds undergo processing steps to get the final product. The taste of the ultimate beverage starts from the best seeds. So it all comes back to quality seeds and proper seed germination.
Reference
Wang, C., Han, J., Pu, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). Tea (Camellia sinensis): A Review of Nutritional Composition, Potential Applications, and Omics Research. Applied Sciences, 12(12), 5874. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12125874
