Dec 10th, '09, 16:18
Posts: 1312
Joined: May 27th, '09, 16:55
by teaisme » Dec 10th, '09, 16:18
I was thinking of growing a few tea plants, like maybe 2 or so. I read it takes about 3 years before the leaves are able to be harvested for drinking (I can't wait to try it already and haven't even gotten the seeds yet
), but in the meantime the plants would be a nice addition to a balcony/indoor garden/mini greenhouse.
Has anyone had experience doing this? Any particular tips I should keep in mind ? Any vendor where you have had a good germination rate with the seeds? Please include your zone too and conditions for growing.
Dec 10th, '09, 17:33
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Location: Southern CA
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by Victoria » Dec 10th, '09, 17:33
I'm in a very mild area, Southern California, and mine died.
We had a thread quite awhile back about someone growing them in containers, but I can't find it.
Dec 11th, '09, 21:40
Posts: 298
Joined: Jan 5th, '09, 21:43
Location: GA
by Ebtoulson » Dec 11th, '09, 21:40
we have another thread about this from a while back.
I actually ordered some seeds about a year ago and it didnt work out that well...none of them even sprouted. I read there is certain ways to plant the seed and I tried every way with no luck.
If your wanting to grow your own tea I suggest buying a seedling.
Dec 14th, '09, 13:51
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Joined: May 27th, '09, 16:55
by teaisme » Dec 14th, '09, 13:51
Hey eb so did you two do that whole sand thing I have been reading about? to prep the seeds?
I hear germination rate is very low, something like 1 in 4-5 .
Did you try indoors or out? or in greenhouse? I imagine a tiny greenhouse would be the best that way you could control humidity and pressure much more easily. I don't have one though.
Dec 14th, '09, 14:16
Posts: 511
Joined: Dec 26th, '08, 18:21
Location: Atlanta, GA
by bsteele » Dec 14th, '09, 14:16
Check out
Dave's Garden. That should get you started. You can always buy the pregrown seedlings.
I recall seeing a website that had a huge selection of tea plants and you could pick from newer/older plants... so you could go ahead and buy a 4yo tea plant. I can't remember where that is though
Dec 14th, '09, 14:31
Posts: 1312
Joined: May 27th, '09, 16:55
by teaisme » Dec 14th, '09, 14:31
Well I would like to get the satisfaction of growing it from seed, but may opt for the seedling who knows just an idea still in the works
Thanks for the link, good site
Dec 15th, '09, 02:06
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by Victoria » Dec 15th, '09, 02:06
Mine was a seedling. Kinda expensive with shipping. I was sad when it died.
Dec 15th, '09, 23:07
Posts: 298
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Location: GA
by Ebtoulson » Dec 15th, '09, 23:07
churng wrote:Hey eb so did you two do that whole sand thing I have been reading about? to prep the seeds?
I hear germination rate is very low, something like 1 in 4-5 .
Did you try indoors or out? or in greenhouse? I imagine a tiny greenhouse would be the best that way you could control humidity and pressure much more easily. I don't have one though.
I actually only tried 2 seeds that way (had 6-7 in total). It was outside towards the end of spring or early summer, I finally used the space for some other plants in mid fall since nothing sprouted. I live in GA so it was already pretty humid and I was at college so not much room for a small greenhouse. I may have just unlucky with the 2 I tried but I really want to try again this year. Like yourself I love to grow my plants from seeds, it just had a certain gratification to me.
BTW the other preparations I tried, dealt with soaking the seeds in water for 2 days (I can't remember the exact time) I tried this with with the other 3-4 seeds. When I purchased my seeds it came with some general instructions ie. locations, germination prep, time etc. so I tried to follow theses to a TEA
.
Let me know how this works out for you.
