The true botanical origin is still a matter of speculation, as it is assumed that the parent plant came from the Indian region of Assam, from where it spread to China. However, with more than 5,000 years-of tradition, China is seen as the country in which tea originated.
It was only in 1823 that some wild growing tea plants were discovered in Assam in north eastern India and subsequently cultivated.
Tea growing on a truly commercial scale was pioneered by the British in the state of Assam, India after the discovery of the tea plant by Major Robert Bruce.
Over the years, through scientific research and field trials, plants have been developed for optimum quality, yield, pest and drought resistance.
To ensure good growing conditions, the tea plant requires:
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An average annual temperature of at least 18°C, but neither exceeding 39°C nor falling below 4°C
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An average daily sunshine of at least 4 hours
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Precipitation spread evenly across the year of at least 1,600 mm
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Deep nutrient-rich loose soil, that is moisture retentive, but not waterlogged
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An optimum range of soil pH of between 5.0 and 5.6
Nurseries
Until about the 1960s, young plants were predominantly raised from tea seeds. Nowadays, cuttings are taken from selected 'mother' bushes and raised in dedicated nursery beds.
These young tea bushes are caringly nurtured from cuttings to small healthy plants.
Careful selection from clonal varieties allow each estate to ensure that these young tea plants are most suited to the micro-conditions that exist on the gardens, so ensuring that only the highest quality of leaf emerges
Land Preparation
Before planting of the young tea bushes can begin, the area (know as a Section) requires careful preparation. This provides the plants with the best possible start to their life.
Bush Husbandry
It takes approximately 4 years for a section to be ready for plucking and commercially viable. To ensure that every young plant achieves its optimum shape, regular pruning and bush husbandry gently establishes the plant’s frame.
The mature plant is pruned in a 3-4 year cycle; the best time for that is December once the main growing period is over and the bushes have been given time to build-up starch reserves. These starch reserves play an important part in the bush’s ability to sprout new growth, weather permitting, in the early part of the following year.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices
McLeod Russel was the first Indian company to initiate a long term Uprooting & Replanting programme in the early 1990’s. Our Company saw that, to optimise output (Yield) of a section, the age of the bush was a critical factor.
Through careful planning and management we have, for more than a decade, maintained our leading Industry position for yields and standards and as a result have made a positive contribution towards the future of Tea in the region.
It is with pleasure that we now see the rest of the industry following our lead and initiating replanting programmes, so ensuring also the future for the people of the region.
Soil Management
Due to the climatic conditions in North East India at certain times in the year, heavy amounts of rain are received (specifically during the Monsoons).
To ensure that the plants are not flooded, 'Drainage' ditches are cut into each section to channel the excess water out of the fields.
These ditches also ensure that as little top soil as possible is swept into the tributaries and hence reduce the silting of the regions main rivers.
