Now that we know a little more about green tea, let’s see how we can grow the plant. When sowing it, it is important to take into account the location. The green tea plant needs a site in full sun or semi shade. In addition, the soil must be rich in organic matter and have good drainage. It is also important for this vegetable that the soil is not too alkaline, as it needs a habitat between neutral and acid.
When we have already chosen the ideal place for our green tea plant, we must acquire a small one. Once we have it, we have to dig a hole that should be approximately four times as wide as the diameter of the plant’s pot and three times as deep. Then we will place the plant inside the hole and cover it with soil, but without pressing too much. To finish sowing it well, it is best to moisten the soil and cover it with a layer of organic mulch, whose height should range between 5 and 15 centimeters.
When harvesting the leaves of the green tea plant, we must choose the freshest and newest shoots. That is to say: Those in which we find a closed bud surrounded by six or five leaves. This harvest can be done once the vegetable is ripe. Until then, about three years can pass from its sowing, so you have to be a little patient. Of course, when the plant is ready we can harvest it about three times a year.
Green Tea Plant Care
Once the planting of the green tea plant is done, we must take good care of it so that it develops correctly and be able to harvest its leaves in the future. Let’s see what are the requirements of this vegetable:
- Temperature: For Camellia sinensisthe optimal temperature ranges between 14 and 27 degrees.
- Irrigation: The green tea plant needs a lot of water to avoid drying out due to sun exposure. The ideal is to water more frequently during the hottest and driest times of the year and when the vegetable is in bloom.
- Fertilizer: You have to add dry fertilizer as this vegetable grows. In summer, it is best to pay approximately every sixty days.
- Pruning: As for pruning, this should be done on a regular basis to control both the size and shape of the bush. In addition, this way we will get a better harvest.
Plagues and diseases
As with all vegetables, the green tea plant can also be affected by various pests. When it comes to insects, we can see dry, curled, deformed or bent leaves. In addition, they tend to lose their color and stains or stripes may appear. On the branches, the base of the plant and the trunks it is common for sawdust to appear. The pests that most often affect this vegetable are the following:
Regarding the diseases of the green tea plant, these usually affect the branches, roots, leaves and buds. Among the most dangerous, the Blistering Blight stands out, caused by the fungus called Exobasidium vexans. Another of the most common diseases of this vegetable is Anthracnose. This is caused by bacteria Pseudomonas spp. and various fungi. The symptoms of this phytopathology are ulcers on the branches and trunks and root rot.
Knowing all this about the green tea plant, we can venture into its cultivation. It is clear that if we like gardening and green tea, planting this vegetable is an excellent idea.