The regional high-temperature drought that began in June 2022 caused varying degrees of damage to tea trees in some areas of our country. During the drought, we recommended not to carry out field operations such as picking, Pruning, fertilizing, spraying pesticides, tilling, and weeding. However, with the recent drop in temperature and the arrival of autumn rains, the drought situation in the tea gardens has been significantly alleviated. With the onset of autumn, tea garden management needs to be stepped up, and the main task at this stage is to restore the vitality of the tea trees.
Pruning Dead Branches
It is now September, and the time for new shoots to grow on the tea trees is extremely limited; therefore, try to prune less and retain more in tea garden management.
For those affected lightly, such as only partial leaf scorching, no treatment is needed, allowing the tea Tree to self-repair. For severe cases where branches of the tea tree have died, prune off the withered, yellowed, and scorched branches and leaves to reduce Water evaporation and the spread of necrotic tissues. Prune 1–2 cm below the dead parts to minimize energy consumption and transpiration in the tea tree.
Light Tilling and Weeding
Light tilling loosens the Soil, facilitating the entry of subsequent rainfall into the root layer soil and promoting effective relief from drought conditions.
After the entire summer, weeds in the tea garden can thrive and easily harbor pests and diseases, so it is necessary to clear them away to ensure that subsequent fertilization does not compete with the tea tree for nutrients.
Apply Autumn Top-Dressing Fertilizer Appropriately
Do not apply too much fertilizer before the tea tree's growth has recovered, to prevent counterproductive effects due to the inability to absorb nutrients.
Once the tea tree resumes growth, adult tea trees can be fertilized with 10–20 kg of compound fertilizer (15:15:15) per mu, while young tea trees can receive 5–10 kg. Use the method of opening trenches for fertilization, and mechanized tillage can be utilized in suitable tea gardens.
Apply Adequate Base Fertilizer
After the tea tree enters dormancy in autumn and winter, apply adequate base fertilizer to make up for the damage caused by high temperatures and drought, enabling the tea tree to quickly recover and strengthen the following year. Apply 100–200 kg of rapeseed cake (or 200–300 kg of livestock and poultry manure organic fertilizer), 10–20 kg of compound fertilizer, and 5–10 kg of urea per mu. Use the method of opening deep trenches 15–20 cm deep for application, or combine with mechanical deep fertilization, encouraging root growth downward and enhancing the tea tree's resistance to adverse conditions.
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