We have been testing a method to grow tea plants from stick cuttings and have found it has been working well. This method may not be easy for everyone, as it does require some investment in materials in order to make it work.
Why are we doing it this way?
To reduce the number of steps in creating new tea plants. We are skipping the step between rooting, potting over and hardening off. Essentially, we are taking a plant from cutting to the tea fields.
Requirements:
- Deep pots.
- Soil for planting (well draining loose soil, acidic 4.5 - 5.5 PH).
- Watering system or ensuring adequate watering.
- Shade cloth or shaded area.
- Temperatures 85F.
The steps to planting a tea plant cutting
1. Take your cutting: This cutting is the medium part between the new growth and the woody stem. You let the cutting sit in the shade for an hour. The parts that are not used on the top will wilt in time. You cut below that. You will need two leaves and two nodes.
2. Plant into a deep pot: Place your cutting into a deep pot. Deep pots seem to retain the moisture better. Use a well draining loose soil with a PH of 4.5 - 5.5.
3. Keep them shaded: Use shade cloth to protect the plants from full sun. We keep them in an average temperature of 85F until established.
The tea plants may take up to a full year to be ready to be placed into the field, with no additional up potting.
We have successfully tried this method and found good results in producing more tea plants with less work. Smart time management helps us manage our costs effectively.
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