Tea Growers?

[filth]

I'm just starting to make preparations to grow my first few tea plants.

any advice?

[Victoria]

I just bought some seeds - but I also bought a seedling in case it doesn't work out. hehe

Here is some info on germination:

http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF ... 1&.intl=us

Then lots more here:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=566527

[Wosret]

Thank you! I'm hoping Santa brings me some seeds this year, and I know I face an uphill battle. I just have to try.

[filth]

I just bought some seeds - but I also bought a seedling in case it doesn't work out. hehe

Here is some info on germination:

http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?ei=UTF ... 1&.intl=us

Then lots more here:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=566527

That is useful info. I was hoping I could get some advice from someone who has worked on a farm or grown their own tea before.

[treazure]

Are we talking about Camellia Sinensis or herbal teas? If Camellia Sinensis, they thrive down south in sandy soil, but you can grow them in a large pot and take them inside for the winter. The flowers are lovely, which is why they are grown down here.

I've been thinking about putting in half an acre of Camellia Sinensis, plucking the new leaves and buds and cutting the shrubs back at the end of the growing season, but I suspect that wouldn't provide enough tea to feed my tea habit, not to mention picking the leaves would be a bit hard on my back.

I'm glad to see the subject, as I am very interested in growing my own, even if it wouldn't be enough for the two of us to be totally self-tea sufficient.

[tenuki]

Several people I know here grow tea. However, North America doesn't grow very good tea as a region. The plants do very well here but the the they produce is not good. All the people I know bought seedlings from a nursery. do a search here, there was a thread a while back that gave nursery info.