Question

Explain the methods of sowing and picking tea.

Answer 1

• Sowing of tea is nothing but planting of tea. It involves different types.
  
• Pit planting: pits are dug and tea is planted. Each pit should be 45 cm wide and 45 cm deep.
  
• Trench planting: 30 cm wide and 45 cm deep trenches are dug along the rows and tea is planted.
  
• Bheti planting: plants are taken with nursery with roots intact.
  
• Stump planting: Plants are lifted from nursery bed without any soil around roots.
  
• Plucking: This is a method in which a bud and two leaves are plucked usually twice a year. Picking is done by hand when a higher quality tea is needed, or where labour costs are not prohibitive. It can also be done using machines.