Tea, Camellia Sinensis Cultivation Tips

 How to Germinate

Step 1: Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours.(If you found any floating seeds do not throw them away yet, Keep soaking them until they sink. Change water every 1-2 days. This could take up to 7 days ) Seeds still floating after 7 days are mostly not viable. You can throw them away.Place the seeds in a plastic nursery flat, in the sun, until they crack. Mist the seeds periodically during this time with water from a spray bottle.

Step 2: File / cut / crack open the shell. This may speed up germination. ( Some shell may be cracked already, it's normal )

Step 3: Sow the cracked seeds about 1/4 deep in a container with well drained soil.Pour moist vermiculite into planting pots with the eye pointing up. The eye is a lighter shaded spot on the top of the seed.

Step 4: Water the soil until it's moisten ( not wet ). Cover the container with plastic wrap. ( This will keep the seeds in a constant moist environment, It also trap a little heat. )Place the pots in a shady area and keep the vermiculite moist at all times. The camellia sinensis seeds should germinate within two months.

Step 5: Place the container in a warm place. ( around 60°F - 78°F ). Keep soil moist, do not let it dry out.

Step 6: Move the camellia sinensis seedlings into brighter light when they have their third set of leaves.