Camellia sinensis CHINESE TEA (6 seeds)

Tea tree or chinese tee is a hardy, slow-growing tree native to Asia and belongs to the Theaceae family.
It can reach 4 to 5 meters in height at maturity.

Its evergreen foliage is leathery, thick, smooth, and glossy.

Its thick flowers are white with a yellow center and begin to appear in early October.

Tea seeds come from Camellia sinensis; they are large and round, measuring 1 centimeter in diameter. They are brown with a small light-colored spot. Its fruits are green capsules that turn brown as they ripen, each containing one to four seeds.

- Properties:

The primary function of the tea plant lies in making brewed beverages from its young leaves and buds. Depending on the degree of withering, oxidation, and roasting applied after harvest, the plant yields a vast range of teas, including green, black, white, yellow, and oolong varieties. This ancestral use has diversified with the appearance of powdered tea, such as matcha, used both as a drink and as a baking ingredient.

Regarding health and well-being, extracts of this plant are integrated into numerous parapharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Its high content of polyphenols and caffeine grants it antioxidant, draining, and stimulating properties.
Do not use for medicinal purposes without seeking medical advice.

In cosmetics, the active principles of the tea plant are used to formulate anti-aging creams, toning lotions, or hair care products aimed at protecting the skin and hair against external aggressions and oxidative stress.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The ideal period for sowing tea is from April to May.
• Sow the seeds 1 cm deep in previously moistened peat or ericaceous soil pots.
• Place the light-colored part of the seed facing downward.
• Water copiously with rainwater.
• Place the culture in a warm spot. The growing temperature must be at least 30°C; a small greenhouse is recommended to naturally increase the temperature.
• Germination will begin between 6 and 12 weeks.

- Soil Type:

You must use acidic pH soil; the plant will not tolerate any other type of soil.

- Exposure and Light:

I recommend choosing a very bright or partially sunny location. Full sun may turn the leaves red due to UV rays.

- Temperature and Hardiness:

It will easily withstand significantly negative temperatures down to -15°C. However, it fears extreme heatwaves.

- Watering:

The tree is water-intensive and requires plenty of watering during the summer period. I recommend mulching the base with pine bark.

- Propagation:

There are two methods for propagation: you can reproduce it either by sowing seeds or by taking stem cuttings during the summer.