Key Technical Points for Short-Cutting Propagation of Tea Plants in Autumn

Developing famous premium tea is the inevitable path for Yuyao's tea industry to move toward profitable agriculture, and the effective way to develop early-growing improved varieties at present is short-cutting propagation, which not only preserves the fine characteristics of the mother tree but also shortens the cultivation period, thereby accelerating propagation speed. However, short-cutting propagation has strict requirements and is highly technical, so four key passes must be secured, namely site selection, land preparation and fertilization, cutting season, and management.

1. Site selection

The cutting nursery should be established on slightly acidic sandy loam with flat terrain, loose soil, and protection from wind damage. Practice has proven that rice paddy soil without water accumulation is most suitable for cuttings.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

1. Land preparation: The first thorough tillage should be about 25 cm deep, and the second, combined with bed making, should be a repeat tillage 15 cm deep.

2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: Mix rapeseed meal, phosphate fertilizer, and human manure and urine, let it decompose, and apply it as base fertilizer in combination with bed making. The application rate per mu depends on soil fertility.

3. Cutting season and technique

In production, the suitable period for tea plant cuttings is from March to October. Autumn cuttings (August to October) are especially best, as cuttings during this period root quickly, have a high seedling formation rate, and require a short management cycle, which helps reduce costs.

Before cutting, first check the seedbed. If the seedbed surface soil is dry, water it to moisten it, and once the soil no longer sticks to the hand, cutting can begin. The row spacing should be about 9 cm and the plant spacing about 3 cm, with the leaves not overlapping each other as the standard; in this way, 667 sq m can accommodate 150,000-200,000 cuttings.

Cutting is generally carried out before 10 a.m. or when the sunlight weakens in the afternoon. The direction of the cutting leaves should be arranged along the prevailing wind direction at the time to avoid being moved by the wind and affecting the survival rate.

4. Management techniques

Management after cutting is related to the survival rate of cuttings and seedling growth. Management mainly includes shading, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, removal of flower buds, and prevention and control of pests and diseases.