Cutting

Qimen black tea, abbreviated as "Qihong," is one of China's top ten traditional teas and one of the world's three most fragrant black teas. It is named after Qimen County in Anhui Province. Qimen black tea was successfully created in the first year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1875). Upon its introduction, it gained a reputation both domestically and internationally for its unique quality. Traditionally, Qimen black tea was made by hand, with quality largely depending on manual skill, hence why it is also known as "Qimen Gongfu." The tea-making skills for Qimen black tea are divided into preliminary processing and finishing. Preliminary processing includes withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying; while finishing includes sieving, cutting, winnowing, sorting, blending, re-drying, and leveling. Withering Rolling Fermentation Drying The characteristics of Qimen black tea include a fine and slender appearance, good tip formation, and a lustrous dark color; a bright red liquor; a rich fragrance with floral and fruity notes; a smooth and sweet taste; and a uniform, tender, and soft leaf base. Qimen black tea particularly emphasizes tenderness and the tightness of the tea leaves. Defective qualities include hollow and loose texture, dull gray color, pale liquor, rough aroma,…

Nursery management significantly influences the survival and transplanting rates of tea seedlings. Different ecological and physiological factors at various stages of development require distinct management approaches, depending on when the cuttings were taken. I. Development Cycle of Tea Seedlings When using short-shoot cuttings, the process from planting to developing a standard-compliant tea seedling can be divided into two phases: the pre-plant stage where the cutting is establishing itself, and the phase where a complete plant develops into a viable seedling. The survival rate during the first phase is critical in propagation techniques. Summer and early autumn cuttings have longer growth cycles and larger growth volumes, which often result in a significant number of weaker plants due to competition for nutrients and space, particularly in the second year of growth. To improve transplanting rates and seedling quality, the second phase is typically managed in two different periods: one when the seedling is less than 20 cm tall, focusing on promoting vigorous growth, and another once it surpasses 20 cm, implementing measures to control stronger plants while stimulating weaker ones. II. Element Management Nursery element management encompasses water, light, temperature, fertilization, pest and weed control, and plant regulation. Each of these elements…

Tea plants are leaf crops cultivated for the harvest of young leaves and buds. Spring tea is the season with the highest quality and most significant economic benefits in the annual tea production cycle. Currently, it is a critical period for implementing spring farming activities across the province. Promptly addressing spring tea production and implementing relevant tea garden management measures play a vital role in enhancing tea yield and quality, as well as increasing the economic benefits for tea farmers and tea enterprises. I. Early Application of Bud Stimulating Fertilizer The new shoots of tea plants in spring grow vigorously, at a rapid pace, and consume relatively large amounts of nutrients. The root system has strong absorption capabilities, and it is difficult to meet the growth needs solely relying on the base fertilizer applied in the previous autumn, which can result in a "disconnection" of soil nutrients in the tea garden. Studies have shown that applying bud stimulating fertilizers about 25 days before the emergence of tea buds not only helps increase spring tea yields (comparing tea gardens with and without spring fertilization, there is an overall increase of 10%-20% in the annual yield), but also plays a good role…

Summer and autumn are critical periods for tea garden management. Strengthening summer and autumn tea garden production management is the foundation for ensuring high-quality and high-yield summer and autumn tea and the following spring tea. The Planting Industry Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, the Expert Advisory Group for Tea of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Tea Industry Technology System, have developed the following technical guidance on summer and autumn tea garden production management and disaster prevention and mitigation. Strengthening Tea Garden Production Management (1) Tea Plant Pruning - For year-round harvesting tea gardens, promptly perform the initial light pruning after spring tea harvesting, cutting off the top 5-10 cm of shoots from the canopy. During summer tea harvesting, it is advisable to allow some growth retention and use the leaf-retention method or tip-picking method to maintain an appropriate leaf layer thickness. Harvesting should be appropriately stopped earlier in autumn to avoid affecting the yield and quality of the following year's spring tea. To cultivate a good picking surface, the second light pruning should be completed before mid-July, with the pruning height…

(1) Timely Pruning When pruning tea trees that have suffered from freezing, it is essential to tailor the approach based on local conditions and specific gardens. For tea gardens primarily focused on harvesting high-quality teas, different levels of pruning should be applied according to the severity of freezing damage. If only some tender leaves are affected, no pruning may be necessary; if parts of the branches and leaves lose vitality after freezing, pruning is required to encourage new shoots and develop a strong framework and picking surface. When most tea plants suffer damage to the foliage and branches 3-5 cm above the picking surface, light pruning is recommended; in cases of more severe damage where the main branches are also affected, heavy pruning should be performed; if the damage is extremely severe and the above-ground branches and leaves have lost vitality, coppicing (cutting back severely) is appropriate. Pruning should ideally be carried out in early spring when temperatures have stabilized and there is no risk of a late cold snap. For mechanical harvesting gardens focused on bulk tea production, pruning should follow the principle of "catering to the majority, consistency within the garden." Different depths of pruning should be used…

Tea tree cuttings are the primary means of propagating clonal tea seedlings. First, select a good mother garden of tea tree cultivars. During spring planting (February to March) or autumn planting (September to October), prune red-brown, semi-lignified, healthy, pest and disease-free branches with full axillary buds from the mother garden. Cut the branches into short cuttings 3 to 4 centimeters long, each with one leaf and a full axillary bud. Ensure that the cut is smooth and diagonal. (1) Method for Cutting Insertion Thoroughly moisten the seedbed before cutting insertion. Once the surface soil is no longer sticky, draw lines according to the length of the tea leaves. Generally, the row spacing for the cuttings should be 7 to 8 centimeters, and the plant spacing should be 2 to 3 centimeters, ensuring that the leaves do not overlap. Hold the lower part of the leaf of the cutting with your thumb, index, and middle fingers, then insert the cutting straight or slightly diagonally into the soil. The depth should be such that only the petiole is exposed. While inserting, lightly press the soil around the cutting to ensure it is firmly in contact with the soil, which aids root development.…

One of the key factors in storing white tea is avoiding exposure to light, which means keeping the tea boxes out of direct sunlight. However, with seasonal changes and fluctuations in weather, a momentary oversight can allow sunlight to penetrate and potentially spoil the stored white tea. To properly store a box of tea, several steps need to be followed. 01 How to Keep White Tea Away from Light and Heat at Home? To store white tea well, it must be kept away from light and heat. After being sealed layer by layer with aluminum bags, plastic bags, and cardboard boxes, the tea needs to be stored in a dry, cool, and dark environment for better aging. The thermal energy in light can damage the nutrients and flavor of the tea, compromising its original color, aroma, and taste. Additionally, the storage environment should remain cool and dry. Considering the need for dark storage, containers that let light through, such as glass jars and PVC cans, are not suitable for holding tea. To ensure that the white tea within the box is not disturbed or damaged by light, it is generally not recommended to store the tea on the top floor,…

The tea regions of Guiyang City have been frequently impacted by extreme spring weather in recent years. According to meteorological forecasts, the city is expected to experience another cold wave soon. To cope with the upcoming temperature drops, thunderstorms, and late spring cold snaps, this document, "Preventive and Remedial Measures for Low-Temperature Freeze Damage (Late Spring Cold Snap) in Guiyang and Guian Tea Gardens," has been specially formulated for your reference. I. Preventive Measures (1) Pay Attention to Cold Wave Forecasts Strengthen forecasting and early warning systems for disastrous weather conditions, promptly issue cold wave information, and prepare in advance. After a cold wave forecast is released, tea gardens that are already open should mobilize manpower to harvest as much as possible to minimize losses from frost damage. (2) Cover Tea Gardens for Frost Protection Straw, bamboo leaves, and rice husks can be spread between rows of tea plants to keep them warm, ideally at a thickness of about 10 centimeters, which can generally increase temperatures by 1-2°C. In tea gardens on windward slopes prone to frost damage, cover the canopy with straw, weeds, or shade nets, not too tightly so that the tea plants are still visible. This will…

Technical Guidance on Winter and Spring Tea Garden Management National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, Expert Advisory Group of Tea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs The spring tea is the most crucial part of the annual tea production. The winter and spring seasons are critical for enhancing tea garden management and improving the quality and efficiency of spring tea. To strengthen the management of tea gardens in winter and spring, the Planting Industry Management Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has collaborated with the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center and the Expert Advisory Group of Tea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to develop the following technical guidance for winter and spring tea garden production management. I. Disaster Prevention 1. Freeze Prevention: Closely monitor weather forecasts. Before cold waves, apply straw mulch between rows and cover the tea canopy with straw mats, plastic films, or shade nets to prevent freezing. After the cold wave, remove the canopy coverings promptly. During a cold wave, irrigation or spray irrigation can be used to mitigate cold and freeze damage. After temperatures return to normal, prune the frost-damaged tea garden. For mild frost damage, perform light pruning to remove…

Great tea is grown, but it is also well-managed. As the saying goes: "One-third planting, two-thirds management." After three seasons of growth and harvesting in spring, summer, and autumn, the tea plant has expended a great deal of nutrients, and the soil between rows becomes compacted. As winter approaches, proper garden management becomes particularly important for the quality and yield of next year's tea leaves. For this reason, the Tea Industry Development Working Group, in collaboration with Guizhou Broadcasting Station's Ecology & Rural Channel, has produced a teaching video on tea garden management during autumn and winter for reference and learning by tea companies and farmers. The video received strong support from the Guizhou Tea Research Institute and covers four parts: fertilization principles and recommendations, pruning techniques for tea plants, pest and disease control, and cold prevention measures. 1 Winter Fertilization According to the growth and development patterns of tea plants, as they enter autumn and winter, the above-ground parts will gradually stop growing and enter dormancy. However, the underground parts become increasingly active and enter the peak period of root activity throughout the year. At this time, the plant's root system significantly strengthens its absorption capacity and has a…

For tea trees of different ages, the methods of mechanical pruning vary. For young tea trees, the primary focus is on shaping pruning; for mature tea trees, light and deep pruning are predominant; and for old tea trees, rejuvenation pruning and stump cutting are mainly conducted. Generally, pruning around the time of Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects) yields good results. However, from an economic perspective, young tea trees should be pruned at the beginning of Lichun (Start of Spring), while other tea trees should be pruned after tea picking. Light Pruning Light pruning effectively promotes the sprouting and growth of tea buds. It also increases the density of productive branches, widens the tree canopy, and creates a favorable picking surface. For mature tea trees, light pruning should be conducted every two years, timed when the upper part of the tea tree stops growing. In regions prone to frost damage, pruning can be done half a month to one month before the spring sprouting of tea buds. For famous tea gardens, light pruning can be conducted after spring tea picking. During light pruning, hedging shears or pruning machines are primarily used to trim off about 4 cm of foliage and branches from…

Wuyi Rock Tea is a traditional Chinese tea renowned for its unique rock aroma and flavor, growing in the crevices of rocks. It is a semi-fermented green tea, with Dahongpao being one of its famous varieties. This article outlines the basic operational techniques and key points of each step in the refining process of Wuyi Rock Tea, aiming to provide guidance for production practice. Refining Techniques for Wuyi Rock Tea The refining of Wuyi Rock Tea involves processing raw tea into finished tea. The primary focus is to remove stems, fragments, and foreign matter, improve the uniformity and purity of the tea's appearance, and enhance its quality. The refining process comprises 13 steps: grading and sorting, preliminary sorting, sifting, cutting and shaping, winnowing (air selection), secondary sorting, blending, baking, cooling, packing (into boxes or barrels), storage, blending, additional baking, and packaging. Flow Chart of Wuyi Rock Tea Refining Process Grading and Sorting Grading and sorting are primarily for preparing raw tea for blending. Based on sensory evaluation results using the national standard samples or trade samples of Wuyi Rock Tea, raw teas are sorted according to their origin, variety, season, and quality. Specific steps for sorting raw tea: Samples are…

Since February 22, most areas of our province, except some tea regions in Qiandongnan and Qiannan such as Qiannanwest, have suffered from a sudden drop in temperature and extreme weather conditions of low temperature and freezing. Preliminary investigations indicate that tea trees in various tea regions have shown varying degrees of symptoms of low-temperature stress, with more severe impacts in higher altitude tea gardens, leading to reduced yields or delayed picking. To mitigate the effects of low temperatures and freezing on spring tea, experts from the Tea Special Task Force, Guizhou Tea Research Institute, Zunyi Comprehensive Test Station of the National Tea Industry Technology System, and Guizhou Province Tea Industry Technology System have jointly studied and proposed the following remedial measures: 1. Timely and Moderate Pruning After temperatures stabilize, prune according to the degree of freezing damage to the tea plants, removing frozen branches and leaves promptly. Pruning should be carried out after the temperature rises and will not cause further serious freezing damage. The depth of pruning should vary depending on the severity of the freeze, ideally cutting 2-3 cm deeper than the dead tissue. For lightly frozen tea plants where only the edges of mature leaves or winter…