Tea (Green, Common, Chinese, Japanese,
Indian, etc.)
Camellia sinensis
Family: Theaceae
Much branched evergreen shrub, Native to India and China, cultivated
world-wide. The plant bears nodding, white, cup-shaped flowers with
yellow stamens. The young leaves are the source of catechin-rich
green tea, and the fermented leaves make the beverage we know as black
tea. Tea may be used externally as an astringent fomentation, to
reduce swelling of skin disorders. Taken by the cup, Tea is a stimulating
nervine. Cultivation: Extra care. Plaanting
Tea from seed is rewarding and fun. The seed remains viable for one
year only, so it should be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator
and sown as soon as possible after receipt, as soon as the "warm soil"
requirement can be fulfilled. Scarify before planting, by rubbing
a hole through the seed coat with sandstone or sand paper. The seed
coat is a bit fragile, so take care not to crush the seed during the process.
Then plant 1/2 inch deep in warm soil and keep moist (not soaked!) until
germination. Typical germination period is 6 to 8 weeks. Can
be sown indoors or in the greenhouse in gallon pots, or can be sown directly
in rich, well-drained garden soil and covered with 1 inch of decomposing
pine needles or bark mulch. Prefers partial shade and protection
from drying winds. The plant appreciates pruning, which should be
performed directly after flowering. Once established, mulch heavily.
Prefers an acid soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5). Hardy to 20 degrees.
Recommended for indoor planting or for outdoor planting in coastal and
southern zones. The seeds are about the size and shape of hazelnuts.
Hollow seeds and low germination % are common occurrences, and our packet
is correspondingly generous. One packet should yield several plants,
but we do not offer any guarantees. The seed is recently acquired
from East India.
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