New Tea Garden Planting

The Hangzhou tea region is prone to autumn and winter droughts as well as low winter temperatures. Planting tea seedlings in early spring is more conducive to ensuring survival rates. Currently, with rising temperatures and abundant rainfall, it's the right time for planting new tea gardens and replenishing young tea gardens. Here are the techniques needed for Transplanting tea seedlings:

Transplanting Time

Middle of February to mid-March.

Seedling Requirements

The seedlings should be robust with a developed root system, at least 20 centimeters tall, and have at least six leaves. Ensure that there are leaves growing on the branches below 15 centimeters from the base of the seedling; otherwise, after shaping pruning, the seedling may become bare and struggle to survive.

Planting Specifications

Single or double row planting can be adopted.

Single Row Planting: Row spacing of 1.3 to 1.5 meters, plant spacing of 25 to 30 centimeters, using 2 seedlings per cluster, resulting in 3,500 to 5,000 seedlings per acre;

Double Row Planting: Large row spacing of 1.5 meters, small row spacing of 30 centimeters, plant spacing of 30 to 33 centimeters, using 2 seedlings per cluster, resulting in 4,500 to 6,000 seedlings per acre.

Note: Avoid planting too densely, as this can affect the growth of the tea canopy once mature and increase the cost of garden management.

Transplanting Technique:

Two seedlings per cluster, with uniform specifications within each cluster, avoiding the combination of different-sized seedlings in the same cluster; planting depth of 6 to 8 centimeters, compacting the soil around the roots; immediately after transplanting, perform the first shaping pruning 18 to 20 centimeters above ground level; ensure that there are at least three leaves remaining on the seedling after pruning.

Reserve Seedling Planting:

After planting, add 1 to 2 rows of reserve seedlings between every 10 rows, which can be used for replenishment in the second year. The planting technique for reserve seedlings is the same as for the rows, with 2 seedlings per cluster, making it easier to transplant whole clusters with soil when replenishing the following year, promoting quick recovery.

Replenishment:

Newly planted tea gardens typically experience varying degrees of missing plants, so it's essential to fill these gaps within the first one to two years of establishment. Use the reserve seedlings planted between the rows, transplanting them with soil to fill the gaps, replacing one cluster at a time. If there are many dead seedlings in a given year and not enough reserve seedlings, dig up larger surviving seedlings for replanting. The vacated space should then be deeply cultivated again before purchasing and planting smaller tea seedlings. Avoid filling gaps with smaller seedlings between larger, established tea plants.