Tea plants can be grown from seed, and are not difficult to propagate. Weed control and fertilising are both required to ensure a good yield.
Tea (Camellia sinensis) can be propagated from either seed or rooted leaf cuttings. The plant produces seed when it is between four and 12 years old, and the first leaves are ready for picking after approximately three years.
Most of the tea plantings in South Africa were established from seed, a relatively easy and efficient method.
Clear the land a year or two before establishing the tea plantation, removing all plants and their roots to prevent the spread of root rot. Don’t burn plant material on the land as this destroys the humus and impoverishes the soil.
Before ploughing, eradicate perennial weeds by spraying a recommended herbicide. Plough the soil once or twice to a depth of between 20cm to 40cm, using a disc or furrow plough, or even a hoe or fork. Harrow it to break up clods, then level the land.
PLANTING
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