Tea farmers plant or replant tea nurseries on their tea plantation on early spring (from late February to March).

In general, the duration of tea plants cultivation is considered to be between 30 to 50 years. After the duration, tea farmers replant tea nurseries.

— Procedure to plant tea nursery —

(1) Land preparation

(2) Digging hole

(3) Planting tea nursery

(4) Supplying water to enhance root taking

Tea farmers deeply think the optimal cultivar for replanting.

There are various parameters to affect tea production. For example, climate change, compatibility to the soil type, growing properties, demands from markets, preference of consumers, etc.

Lately, worldwide demand for “matcha” makes tea farmers to replant the cultivars suitable to “matcha”. For example, “Saemidori” is one of the cultivars good for matcha due to its deep bright green color and sweetness.

In addition, ‘Saemidori’ is an early budding cultivar as shown in the below. Tea farmers can provide ingredient tea to tea processors or wholesalers earlier.

Growth difference between ‘Saemidori'(early budding cultivar) and ‘Yabukita’. This photo was taken on 1st April 2016.

For future tea production, I hope tea farmers success the replanting based on their cultivation plan and produce the finest teas successfully by taking advantages of each cultivar.