Important Considerations for Summer Pruning of Tea Trees
In the summer management of tea trees, pruning is a crucial task. It is key to renewing the canopy and revitalizing the tree. Therefore, tea farmers should pay close attention to this process. What are the essential considerations for summer pruning of tea trees? What are the post-pruning management points? Let's find out.
Summer Pruning of Tea Trees
1. Timing of Pruning
The best time for pruning is after the spring tea harvest, during a period with abundant rainfall and suitable temperatures. Pruning too early can affect spring tea yield, while pruning too late can result in high temperatures and low rainfall, hindering the growth of new branches.
2. Pruning Methods
The pruning method should be determined based on the age and growth vigor of the tea trees:
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Young Tea Trees: Due to their vigorous growth and high plasticity, young tea trees can be pruned heavily using shaping pruning methods.
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Mature Tea Trees: For mature tea trees, which have stable structures and high yield and quality of fresh leaves, moderate light pruning is recommended to regulate the growth of lateral branches and maintain high quality and yield.
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Old Tea Trees: For aging tea trees, heavy pruning or stump pruning is usually adopted to rejuvenate and renew the trees.
Post-Pruning Management of Tea Trees
1. Weeding and Fertilization
After pruning, immediately loosen the soil, weed, and apply sufficient organic fertilizer (at least 1000 kg per acre). Alternatively, apply 120-160 kg of specialized tea tree fertilizer per acre. Cover the soil immediately after fertilization to enhance soil fertility and reduce weed growth.
2. Maintenance and Harvesting
During the summer, focus on harvesting while also maintaining the plants. Usually, one leaf is left during summer harvesting, while fish leaves are left during spring and autumn. The specific number of leaves to leave and the number of harvests should be decided based on the actual growth conditions of each tea tree in the garden.
3. Pest and Disease Control
Post-pruning, the rapid growth of branches and shoots creates a favorable environment for pests and diseases such as the tea looper, tea mosquito bug, leaf roller, small green leafhopper, and shoot blight. Pests can be controlled using insecticides like thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, emamectin benzoate, and bifenazate. For shoot blight, protect and treat the plants with fungicides like chlorothalonil, Bordeaux mixture, 70% thiophanate-methyl (1500x dilution), or 65% zineb (600x dilution).
Conclusion
In conclusion, proper summer pruning of tea trees is vital for cultivating high-quality, efficient canopies and laying the foundation for high-quality and high-yield tea production. Therefore, it is essential to master the related considerations and management points.
What is the Pruning Cycle of Tea?
Pruning is a crucial practice in tea cultivation, essential for maintaining the health, productivity, and quality of tea plants. Understanding the pruning cycle of tea helps tea farmers optimize their yield and ensure the longevity of their tea gardens. This article explores the different stages of the pruning cycle in tea cultivation.
Stages of the Tea Pruning Cycle
1. Formation Pruning
Formation pruning is conducted during the early years of a tea plant's life, typically within the first two to three years after planting. The primary goal is to establish a strong framework of branches that will support future growth and development. This involves:
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Encouraging a bushy growth habit to increase the number of pluckable shoots.
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Promoting a low and wide canopy to facilitate easy harvesting.
2. Maintenance Pruning
Maintenance pruning, also known as light pruning, is performed annually or biennially, depending on the growth rate and condition of the tea plants. The objectives of maintenance pruning are to:
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Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
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Thin out the canopy to improve air circulation and light penetration.
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Maintain the shape and size of the tea bushes for optimal plucking.
3. Skiffing
Skiffing is a lighter form of pruning done to remove the topmost layer of leaves and encourage new shoot growth. This is usually performed after each harvest cycle, ensuring continuous production of fresh shoots. There are two types of skiffing:
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Light Skiffing: Removes only the uppermost layer of leaves.
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Medium Skiffing: Involves a slightly deeper cut to remove more of the older leaves and promote vigorous new growth.
4. Rejuvenation Pruning
Rejuvenation pruning, also known as heavy pruning or deep skiffing, is performed every 5-7 years to revitalize older tea bushes. This involves cutting back the plants more severely to stimulate new growth from the base. The benefits of rejuvenation pruning include:
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Rejuvenating old and unproductive tea plants.
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Reducing the height of the bushes to make harvesting easier.
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Encouraging the growth of new, vigorous shoots.
5. Leveling Pruning
Leveling pruning is a technique used to maintain uniformity across the tea plantation. This involves trimming the tea bushes to a consistent height and shape, ensuring that all plants receive equal amounts of sunlight and nutrients. Leveling pruning is often done in conjunction with other pruning methods to achieve the desired results.
Conclusion
The pruning cycle of tea is a vital aspect of tea cultivation, involving various stages from formation to rejuvenation pruning. By following a structured pruning cycle, tea farmers can enhance the productivity, health, and longevity of their tea plants, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality tea leaves.
