Tea Autumn Fertilization Methods and Technical Key Points
How to fertilize tea in autumn? Please advise. The tea garden is currently at a good time for fertilization. Based on my own experience, I will briefly introduce the issue of autumn fertilization in tea gardens. In production, many farmers are accustomed to fertilizing only when the tea grows in spring, do not attach much importance to autumn fertilization, and like to apply urea while neglecting phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and medium...
How to fertilize tea in autumn? Please advise
The tea garden is currently at a good time for fertilization. Based on my own experience, I will briefly introduce the issue of autumn fertilization in tea gardens.
In production, many farmers are accustomed to fertilizing only when the tea grows in spring, do not attach much importance to autumn fertilization, and like to apply urea while neglecting phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and medium and trace element fertilizers. As a result, tea quality is poor, yield is not high, and economic benefits are rather low.
Tea, like other perennial plants, has growth divided into aboveground and underground parts. In autumn, after the tea stops growing new shoots, the underground root system will still continue to grow for a period of time. This period is exactly when sufficient nutrients are accumulated and stored in the roots and stems to supply the growth of new buds and new shoots after the beginning of spring the following year. After the beginning of spring the following year, because the soil temperature is relatively low, root growth is not vigorous, while new bud germination requires a large amount of nutrients, mainly relying on nutrients accumulated from the previous year. At this time, if not much nutrients are stored in the roots and stems, they will soon be consumed, and the sprouting of new buds and new shoots will also stop quickly. The result is very poor bud quality, more "spread leaves," and relatively insufficient weight. This not only seriously affects the economic benefits of the tea garden but also easily leads to premature aging of the tea plant. Therefore, heavily applying autumn fertilizer is crucial to tea garden yield.
Autumn fertilization time: late September to mid-October is suitable, adjusted appropriately according to different local climates.
Type of fertilizer: a compound fertilizer with high nitrogen, low phosphorus, and low potassium (or medium potassium) is preferable. Magnesium, zinc, and boron fertilizers can be appropriately supplemented. Note that calcium fertilizer should not be applied too much, otherwise leaf quality will become worse! The amount of compound fertilizer is 40-60Kg/mu, and the amount of medium and trace element fertilizer depends on the variety and brand.
When fertilizing, it is best to mix it into the soil by turning the soil or to cover it. Some tea gardens do not prepare the land, so it can be applied together with autumn pruning: fertilize first, then prune, and use fallen leaves and other material as mulch.
After the beginning of spring, ten days before new buds germinate, use 8-10Kg/mu of urea as a bud-promoting fertilizer. Afterward, appropriately supplement urea according to the picking situation, generally 2-3 times is enough, until just before the spring tea picking is about to end, then apply compound fertilizer again.
Relatively speaking, this method does not increase costs much, has a significant yield-increasing effect, and produces good tea quality. In my area, it has been tested by many growers with good benefits.
Click to get more tea cultivation techniques
Click to get more flower cultivation techniques