Suitable soil for tea plants

The first desiderata in selecting the site for tea-plantation are soil and climate the best mode of cultivation, system of manufacture and cost of production. A rich loamy soil, sand and vegetable matter; is of a yellow colour is the best suited for tea; but eceteria paribus, the various soils suitable for cereals are also suited for tea. The great object is to insure deep soil free from rocks and stones.

A probably moist climate,such as may be found at elevations of from 2500 to 5000 get above the level of the sea, are most suitable and in localities free from all influence of hot winds in summer.The decrease in soil moisture causes the desiccation damage on the young tea leaves.

Rainfall in the the area of the world varies from less than 1000 mm to 6000 mm in a year. the minimum quantity of rain required to sustain healthy growth depends on the soil and other environmental conditions and cultural factors which are connected with loss of water from the soil and the tea plant.

The plants are very sensitive to the soil acidity. They cannot survive in alkaline soil. The optimum pH of soil for growing tea ranges between 4.5 and 6.5. One of the reasons that tea does well in regions with a high rainfall is that the ling term leaching of the soil contributes to soil acidity.
Suitable soil for tea plants

Manuring in tea plantation

The quality and flavor of the tea leaf is not only affected by the soil, climate and location, but by the character and quality of the manure used in cultivation.

The application of manure is the most important part of tea plantation depending upon the physical condition and the nature of soil.

This helps in quick growth of tea plants. Manure is an excellent source of nutrients for soil.

Practically all tea soils must be fertilized if the tea plant is to thrive, and manuring is some form is almost universal practice.

Among the goals of manuring are:
*Make nutrients available for plant
*Improve soil structure
*Increase the level of organic matter in the soil
*Increase the ability against rain and wind erosion, dehydration
*Increase ability of soil to retain moisture
Manuring in tea plantation

Mulching process

Mulching is a process of covering the soil with soft and sappy plant leaves to conserve the soil moisture. Other organic material that has not fully broken such wood chips, straw also can be used. Straw and hay are excellent protection against the drying winter winds.

Shredded newspaper is quite effective. Most newspaper ink no longer contains lead; even color sections are printed with clay-based inks.

It is an important part of tea plantation. Young tea areas are mulched with green material. Thicker the mulch better will be the result.

Sometime it is top dressed with a sprinkle of urea so that mulch may rot easily.

This improves the soil fertility and reduces the possibility or irrigation also. Mulch holds water in the soil, preventing evaporation and keeping the plants well watered.

It suppressed weed, moderates soil temperature, improves soil structure, encourages earthworm activity, stimulates beneficial microbial activity, act as a substrate for fungi growth, and beautify and improves environment.

Further, it protects soil from direct sun and wind effect.
Mulching process

Pruning of tea plant

The essence of pruning system is to maintain an optimum amount of tree so that, the plants remain in a steady state of productivity.

The system is determined from the balance of growth of the plants in relation to their productivity, particularly potential or expected levels of yield.

As a wild plant, the tea tree can grow to twenty-five feet and its transformation into a waist-high bush is a result of four year cycles of pruning and plucking.

Careful, attention is paid to each individual plant and every cutting is placed by hand, light work that is often done by elderly and ill women and small children. Tea bushes are required to be pruned at regular intervals, the time period between two consecutive prunings is known as pruning cycle.

As the plant grows, careful pruning determines its heights. The plant’s center stem is cut at six to eight inches after eighteenth months, stopping the growth of that stem, and promoting lateral branching.

How frequently a plant requires pruning depends on its growth, shape, site, weather, and the reason for pruning.

Plants in warm winter climates and plants that grow quickly generally need more frequent pruning than slow-growing plants in cold regions.

The running cycle of seedling tea can be two, three or four years corresponding to low-country, mid country and upcountry. Pruning cycle of vegetatively propagated tea is three, four and five years for low country, md country and up country.
Pruning of tea plant