Do you know that almost every type of tea comes from a Camellia? That's right tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis.
Camellia sinensis Flower
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis and Camellia sinensis var. assamica are two major varieties grown today. Camellia sinensis are believed to have originated in the borderlands of north Burma and southwestern China.
Camellia sinensis are evergreen shrubs. The leaves are glossy green with serrated edges. It usually forms cute small white flowers with bright yellow stamens in spring but I have found in our climate it can flower from spring through to winter. In cultivation flowering is halted by the consistent plucking of new growth, forcing the plant to constantly make more leaves not more flowers.
After flowering Camellia sinensis can fruit. This fruit has a hard green shell and a single, round, brown seed, these seeds can be used to make tea oil. Tea oil has huge huge potential in the cosmetic industry and medical industry due to its natural healing and nutritional properties. It is also commonly used in Chinese cooking.
Camellia sinensis sinensis (China)
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis is the main tea plant in production in China. It naturally grows at high altitudes on mountain slopes. In its native habitat it can grow to 4.5m tall and produce leaves up to 5cm long. The growing season may be short in it's native mountainous area and the yeilds small but the tender leaves yield a sweeter, less astringent tea.
When grown in cultivation the plant is pruned to about 1m high with a flat top surface to allow easier plucking of the new growth. In most areas the growing season is only half of the year as the plant is dormant during Winter. These plants will generally only yield about five pluckings a year. Due to its dormancy during Winter, where its storing up all its nutrients, the first spring "flush" of new growth provides some of the finest teas on earth with the highest concentrations of desirable flavours and essential elements that make tea a health tonic.
Camellia sinensis assamica (Assam, India)
Camellia sinensis assamica is native to the Assam region in Northern India (near boarder of Burma and China). This strain of Camellia sinensis loves high humidity, warm temperatures and lots of rain. If left alone the Camellia sinensis assamica can grow up 15-20m high and its leaves can be 20cm long. Under perfect conditions Camellia sinensis assamica can be harvested every 8 to 12 days all through the year. Due to the tremendous yields, it is the preferred crop in Northeast India, Sri Lanka and Africa. The Camellia sinensis assamica leaf is ideal for producing strong, malty, black teas. Other Chinese teas requiring lengthier production, such as oolong and pu'erh, are also made from the larger leaves of the Assamica plant.
We can easily grow Camellia sinensis in Ipswich. We just have to understand they will grow a lot slower than they do in their natural habitat. We may only get one yield a year out of our Camellia sinensis. Due to their slow growth rate, Camellia sinensis would be happy to stay in a pot or they could be used as a low hedge. With little effort Camellia sinensis can easily be trained to grow thick and neat, they really only need to be pruned once a year, when you do your tea harvest!
To promote good growth and some flowers I would be fertilising with Organic Link at least twice a year, just before flowering and just after. Throughout the year I also think its a brilliant idea to regularly liquid fertilise. I like to alternate between Triple Boost and Silica and Potash. I find Camellia sinensis aren't prone to a lot of insects or diseases if kept healthy. I usually mix neem oil with my Triple Boost Liquid Fertiliser to promote strong healthy growth. If by chance I get an insect attack I find Eco-oil or Eco-Fend can usually solve the issue.
Camellia sinensis can tolerate both full sun and full shade but the best spot is a partially shaded area. As long as they are planted into good quality potting mix or garden soil and mulched correctly Camellia sinensis can be one of the most robust drought tolerant plants around. They do prefer regular watering's though to promote healthy new growth.
If you've been looking for something a little different to grow in your garden this year, I'd suggest Camellia sinensis are a great place to start.
If you love your tea but can't wait to grow your own, Trevallan also stocks Tranquil Tea's Ipswich Breakfast Blend