Orthodox Tea

चिया (Nepali Himalayan Tea)

📖 Camellia sinensis L.

Verified Agricultural Data (NARC) Cash & Industrial Crops 📅 Chaitra (चैत) – Kartik (कार्तिक) 🌡️ 12–28°C ⚗️ pH 4.5–5.5 ⏱️ Perennial flush cycles

Growing Season & Schedule

🌱

Recommended Growing Window: Chaitra (चैत) – Kartik (कार्तिक)

Perennial woody evergreen shrub pruned for tender two-leaves-and-a-bud flushes (First Flush: Chaitra-Baisakh, Second Flush: Jestha-Asar, Monsoon, Autumn Flush). Highly productive for 50+ years.

Description & Overview

Famous worldwide export from high-altitude mist-covered gardens of Eastern Nepal. Hand-plucked two leaves and a bud (दुई पात एक सुइरो).

Details & Agronomic Insights

🌟 Positive Attributes & Health Benefits

Abundant in EGCG catechins, theaflavins, L-theanine, and antioxidant polyphenols. Enhances mental alertness, lowers cardiovascular risks, boosts metabolic rate, and protects neural tissues.

⚠️ Precautions & Adverse Notes

Contains caffeine and tannins; excessive consumption may impair non-heme iron absorption or cause insomnia if consumed late in the evening.

🐛 Major Diseases & Pests

Blister Blight (Exobasidium vexans), Black Rot (Corticium theae), Red Spider Mite (Oligonychus coffeae), and Tea Mosquito Bug (Helopeltis theivora).

💊 Disease & Pest Solutions

Spray Copper Oxychloride (2 g/L) weekly during monsoon mist periods to protect tender flushes from blister blight.
Spray wettable sulfur (2 g/L) or neem oil for red spider mite control.
Prune bushes according to a 4-year cycle (light prune, deep skiff) to rejuvenate flush yield.

🧪 Fertilizer & Nutrition Recommendations

NPK formulation based on green leaf harvest: typically 90:45:90 kg/ha along with 10-15 tons compost/ha applied in trenches around bush drip line.

Planting & Cultivation Guide

🌱 Planting Method Direct Seeding

📏 Seed Depth 2.0 cm

↔️ Seed Spacing 30.0 cm

📐 Row Spacing 60.0 cm

🪱 Soil Type Well-drained fertile loam

💧 Water Requirement High (800-1100 mm, moisture-loving)

☀️ Sunlight 5-7 hours morning sun

🧪 NPK Dose 100:60:40 NPK kg/ha

Climate & Altitude Requirements

⛰️ Altitude Range 100–2000 m

🗺️ Suitable Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temperature Range 12–28°C

⚗️ Optimal pH 4.5–5.5

Harvest Information & Yield

⏱️ Maturity Days Perennial flush cycles

📦 Expected Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

🔍 Harvest Indicators:

Harvest when crop reaches optimal market maturity and full color

Crop Photo Gallery

चिया (Nepali Himalayan Tea) (Primary Photo)

Seasonal Calendar — रोप्ने पात्रो

Activity / कार्य	Start Month (BS)	End Month (BS)	Region / क्षेत्र	Gregorian Window
🌱 Sowing	असोज (Ashwin)	कार्तिक (Kartik)	All Nepal	September - November
🌾 Harvesting	मंसिर (Mangsir)	माघ (Magh)	All Nepal	November - January

Quick Reference

Verified

🌱 Method Direct Seeding

📅 Season Chaitra (चैत) – Kartik (कार्तिक)

⏱️ Matures Perennial flush cycles

💧 Water High (800-1100 mm, moisture-loving)

☀️ Sunlight 5-7 hours morning sun

🪱 Soil Well-drained fertile loam

🗺️ Regions Terai, Mid-Hills

🌡️ Temp 12–28°C

⚗️ pH 4.5–5.5

📏 Depth 2.0 cm

📦 Yield 15 - 25 t/ha

📅 Planting Calendar 🩺 Plant Doctor AI

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