Easy Way To Grow Tea?

Wolfganggrows

Wolfganggrows

Member
I'm interested in cultivating some tea, particularly a good black/chai tea. :hump:

I am a cultivator of many plants: Swiss Chard, Romaine Lettuce, Jalapeño, Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Cherry Tomatoes, Onions, Oregano, Strawberries, and zucchini.:peace:

So any ideas on strains of tea to grow?
Seed links?
Soil strategies?
Lighting strategies?

I'm open to all and I might make a grow diary and walk through of growing tea after I've mastered it.:mrgreen:
 
Commander Rainbow Veins

Commander Rainbow Veins

Active Member
I had a Camellia sinensis but have never used it to make green tea(never had the chance, when i lived with a lovely lady who loved to garden). I think black tea is made from the same plant but don't quote me on that and as for chai I thought it meant tea? thats what my aunt told me, but she is also from asia so it might mean something else over there... it tastes like it has cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, fennel seeds, peppercorn, and/or cloves in it. bleh it taste pretty spicy to me. I know alot of people like that in drinks but I personally only like spicy foods and like sweet to bitter drinks.

I'm going to order some more plants this up coming spring and am doing research for the plants I want to grow.
Yay me tho winter may be a dead part for everyone else but its my fav part of the year to prepare for the things I want and need for the spring.
Gardening items are almost always cheaper in the fall and winter, since its not the popular season to grow anything for most folks.

I hope you have luck and I would advise you doing some research on the black/chai tea becuase I think I am almost wrong but wanted to give my two cents hahaha.
Sorry again if I confused you or gave really shitty advise.

Happy token and hope to talk to you about your garden this upcoming year
 
Wolfganggrows

Wolfganggrows

Member
Commander Rainbow Veins said:
I had a Camellia sinensis but have never used it to make green tea(never had the chance, when i lived with a lovely lady who loved to garden). I think black tea is made from the same plant but don't quote me on that and as for chai I thought it meant tea? thats what my aunt told me, but she is also from asia so it might mean something else over there... it tastes like it has cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, fennel seeds, peppercorn, and/or cloves in it. bleh it taste pretty spicy to me. I know alot of people like that in drinks but I personally only like spicy foods and like sweet to bitter drinks.

I'm going to order some more plants this up coming spring and am doing research for the plants I want to grow.
Yay me tho winter may be a dead part for everyone else but its my fav part of the year to prepare for the things I want and need for the spring.
Gardening items are almost always cheaper in the fall and winter, since its not the popular season to grow anything for most folks.

I hope you have luck and I would advise you doing some research on the black/chai tea becuase I think I am almost wrong but wanted to give my two cents hahaha.
Sorry again if I confused you or gave really shitty advise.

Happy token and hope to talk to you about your garden this upcoming year
Click to expand...
After some research I've found a few things:

Black Tea does come from Camellia Sinensis, it matters how you prepare it,. Also, you can make Green and Oolong tea out of the same plant.

TAKES FOREVER TO GROW.

Germination is a pain.
I hope that there's a nursery in my area that has a year old one or something along those lines.

BTW I plan on growing the tea indoors because of winter temps and I want my house to be full of fresh oxygen!
 
ANC

ANC

Well-Known Member
South African Rooibos is the only tea i realy like... if you like sweet tea that's where its at.
 
Commander Rainbow Veins

Commander Rainbow Veins

Active Member
Wolfgang: You can also get clippings hahaha and do it that way or look for nurseries that grow it or can easily order it. I dont know about online nurseries, I would check on reviews on the website and see there credibility. I love oolong tea, but my hubby really doesnt care for it. There are many techniques to getting the best aroma and taste out of the tea and there is a movie that you can get, that is very helpful, but can be boring if you dont like documenteries. The movie is also on netflix and greatest part is that it is instant :D "All in This Tea" its very educational and I loved it. Made me realize how shitty american bag tea really is.

Greenerman: Lemon balm is not technically tea like green and black tea is. Its herbal tea but I agree I love lemon balm tea its so yummy ;D especially when you mix other herbs in with it. it also is a good bug repellent (well at least for mosquitos), also good for cuts and fevers it was one of my favs in my garden.
 
J

jjotoole1

Member
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.It has a cooling, slightly bitter, astringent flavour which many enjoy.

The term herbal tea usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as rosehip tea or chamomile tea. Alternative terms for this are tisane or herbal infusion, both bearing an implied contrast with tea. This article is concerned exclusively with preparations and uses of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, the Minnan word for which is the etymological origin of the English word tea.

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Water Pumps
 
PIPBoy2000

PIPBoy2000

Active Member
What I wouldn't give for a 1000 year old tea tree.
I'm sooo going to grow my own caffeine.
I love tea. The golden yunnan is steeping right now.
 
PIPBoy2000

PIPBoy2000

Active Member
Your English is pretty good. I love how you put it. Keep practicing!
Tea plants need sleepy area where water go flow. In the tea plant if water stay at the root of tea, that plant can not be grow.
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Tea plants need well drained soil. Tea plants cannot stand wet feet.
 
Jimmyjonestoo

Jimmyjonestoo

Well-Known Member
I too am interested in growing my own tea. If anybody comes across a link to someone selling yearlings I'd love to see it.
 
tomat0

tomat0

Active Member
Unless you're at a very pristine location (higher altitude mountain ranges), your chances to produce quality tea leaves are very slim. It's a very delicate product that absorbs environmental pollution quite easily.
Doesn't mean you can't attempt it in an enclosed system though.

Learn before growing. The world of tea is full of many types just like wine and weed. ;)
 
Jimmyjonestoo

Jimmyjonestoo

Well-Known Member
Well I'm definitely familiar with wine and weed. Got cocoa for chocolate growing can't see tea being much more difficult.
 
tomat0

tomat0

Active Member
Jimmyjonestoo said:
Well I'm definitely familiar with wine and weed. Got cocoa for chocolate growing can't see tea being much more difficult.
Click to expand...
If you can produce grape -> wine in the glass, you're most definitely capable of producing high quality tea. They're pretty alike in that they require patience and unique processing methods for different end products.

Try visiting your nearby botanical gardens and asking their staff for references to tea plants. They should have be able to steer you in the right direction.
Until then, enjoy your rich blacks, holiday chais, and oh-so delicate whites! :)
 
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