Hardening of tea saplings and siblings with frame was maintained by different growth stages i.e. (T1: Control, T2: 4-5 leaves stage, T3: 7-8 leaves stage, T4: 12-14 leaves stage, T5: 4-5 leaves stage in siblings) on six parameters during September 1999 to April 2000. Maximum plant height of 67.8 cm was obtained in T4 followed by 49.8 cm in T3. Where as T1: 33.2 cm, T2: 44.4 cm, T5: 47.8 cm showed respectively. Significantly branches were increased in T4: 8.37, followed by T3: 5.37. The rest of

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... he treatments were at par with each other's statistically. Maximum leaves of 47.0 in T4 followed by T3 (31.4) were recorded. However T2 and T5 were remain the same statistically i.e. 28.4 each in both treatments. Similar results was produced in fresh leaves i.e. 33.82 in T4 followed by T3 which produced 16.4 almost half of the T4. The other treatments showed poor performance in this respect and remain non significant. Maximum root length was recorded in T5 (19.0 cm) where as the rest of the treatments were statistically non significant among each other. Where as the maximum root weight was recorded in T3 (10.39 gms), this attribute due the tap root system in siblings and adventitious root in saplings by nature in tea plant. It proves from the study that tipping practice should be carried out in the nursery at 12-14 leaves stage for healthy plants for transplantation in the field.