Dilapidated tea gardens cover approximately 80% of the total area of about five thousand acre under tea in Himachal Pradesh. If these uncared for gardens are rejuvenated and in filled according to improved agro-techniques, it is possible to double or even quadruple yields levels producing eight to 15lakh kg of made tea additional to the present level of production. Experience of the CSIR Complex in improving such a dilapidated tea estate at Banuri is related in this folder as a case study for standard improved practices in the tea gardens needing proper care.
Clear the area of dilapidated tea garden from wild bushes and weeds which have grown over the tea bushes. Dig out the roots of wild bushes. Also remove the dead and diseased tea bushes.
Ground level collar pruning is found more suitable to bring new life to old tea bushes. Collar prune the branches at ground level; or even below the ground by removing the heaped up soil and exposing the covered stems. Remove all dead wood, diseased wood and knots. Pruning should be done preferably in November. Pruning during May is also acceptable.
0 YEAR: Ground or collar prune in Oct - Nov. 1st YEAR: Tip the primary shoots at 24" above the ground in July/August. Carry on plucking from Aug. to Oct. Level off skiff is done in Nov. /Dec. or left untouched. 2nd YEAR: Pluck at the last plucking level (24" + creep) to Janam from March till the end of season in Sept/Oct. Deep skiffing is done at 2" below the first tipping level at 22" from the ground in Nov. 3r d YEAR: Tip at 4" above the deep skiff level in May. Continue plucking to Janam at this tipping level upto Sept/Oct. Level off skiff is done in Nov. or left untouched. 4th YEAR: Continue plucking at the last year's plucking level to Janam and follow weekly plucking cycle upto late Sept. Leave plants untouched in Oct. Light prune at 16" to 18" from the ground in Nov. 5th YEAR: Tip at eight inch above the prune level in July and continue plucking as in the first year of cycle. Put the tea bushes on normal pruning and plucking. Right way of plucking gives you more returns. Wrong plucking even causes damage to tea plants.
Vacancies in the dilapidated gardens need infilling. Prepare pits of 1.5' x 1.5' size in April/May or earlier when labour is available. Infil two plants per vacancy + one e.g. three plants for one vacancy or five plants for two vacancies. Keep pits open for at least one month. Fill the pits with a mixture of soil + four kg Farm Yard Manure + 60 gms Superphosphate. Plant the infil in June. Old bushes can also be used for consolidation and infilling. Old bush is first collar pruned and dug out with soil ball. Transplant one old bush for infilling a vacancy. Watering is required immediately after planting. Leaf mulching is done around the infil slightly away from the stem. After six to eight week of planting the infills, apply fertilizer (10:5: 10 N.P.K) at the following rate:
O YEAR: 45 gm, 1st YEAR: 65gm, 2nd YEAR: 80 gm. (all in four split applications). Pruning and plucking of infills will dealt in forthcoming folder on 'Planting A New Tea Garden Proper shade over tea I bushes is a must. Indigofera teymsmanii can be planted as temporary shade plants. Permanent shade Plant is AIbizzia chinensis to be planted at 40 x 40' distance.