How to Grow a Moringa Tree

For edible landscaping, a Moringa tree is hard to beat. This versatile tree can be ground year-round in any tropical climate, and as an annual in temperate zones. Fast-growing, nutritious, and lovely to behold, Moringa is gaining in popularity daily. What could be easier than walking into your yard, and gathering healthy greens to put on the table?

Steps

1. Obtain some Moringa seeds from one of the many fine sources that sell them. There are several varieties, but the seeds of Moringa Oleifera and Moringa Stenopetala are the easiest to obtain. For a fast-growing tree that will bear leaves, blossoms and seed pods - called drumsticks, the first year - choose Moringa Oleifera. If you want a fast-growing tree with much larger leaves, making the task of gathering them for a meal easier, opt for Moringa Stenopetala. The flowers and seed pods take longer to develop on the African variety of Moringa - Moringa Stenopetala. Moringa Oleifera seeds are round, brown, and winged. Moringa Stenopetala seeds, out of their husk, are almond-shaped and light tan in color. The seeds are very different, but they both grow Moringa trees. In actuality, the seeds are basically the same size; but, you can see they are not alike, in appearance.


2. Decide where you would like to grow your Moringa tree. Keep in mind that Moringa trees can grow over 20 feet tall, their first year. The average growth is about 15 feet, however, in optimum conditions, they can grow much taller. Because the branches will grow, on the average, to about three to four feet wide the first year, you will need to consider whether you want to plant your Moringa tree close to any existing structures. Moringas need a lot of sunlight, warmth, and water, in order to thrive - so think about where your tree will obtain the best exposure to the sun.


3. Get the best organic potting soil that you can find. Moringas do not like heavy, clay-like soil or vermiculite. They will grow in poor soil, sandy soil, and depleted soil, but they do not like their roots getting wet. Bear this in mind, and if necessary, purchase sand to add to the potting soil mixture, or use whatever soil is available in your area, and add coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, or sand to loosen it. This gives the roots of the Moringa tree room to spread out, go deep, and drain well.


4. Make a hole in the soil, and plant the Moringa seeds about ¾" to 1" deep, cover with soil, and tamp it into place. Make a note of when you planted the seed or seeds, so you can monitor their growth. Once you have covered the seeds, thoroughly water the soil. Whether you plant the seeds in pots, or right into the ground, they will need a thorough soaking every day, until you see the seedling emerge from the soil. Once they have sprouted, they can be watered once every other day, until they are about 18 inches tall. Then, once a week will be sufficient. Some people soak the seeds in water until they sprout, and then plant them. This method also works, but Moringa seeds are very hardy, and do not really need this additional step.


5. Moringa can be grow as a solitary tree, in rows, or as a hedge. If you would like to grow it as a hedge, plant the seeds into the ground, about 1 foot apart. Pinch back every other new leaf growth, to force the tree to grow like a bush, and once they are about 2 feet tall, cut the branches in half lengthwise, and pinch back the new leaf growth that will sprout out at the top of the Moringa tree. If you are going to grow your Moringas in rows, then plant the seeds about 3 feet apart, in rows that are at least 6 feet apart, for easy weed removal and walking through the rows. If you are going to grow your Moringa as a solitary tree, just remember to give it plenty of room, so its branches can spread out. Periodically, cut back the top of the tree, to encourage new growth, and cut the branches' length back, by half. This will insure that your Moringas thrive, and give you lots of beautiful flowers, edible leaves, and drumsticks - for years to come.

Tips

• • The leaves are edible, and there are many places, online, that will tell you how to incorporate them into your diet.


• The flowers buds and blossoms can be cooked slightly and eaten, as a nourishing vegetable.


• Keep those pruning shears handy, as the more you prune them, the faster they will grow.


• Maintain your Moringa tree at a height of about 6 feet maximum, if you wish to be able to reach its harvest.

Warnings

• • Worldwide, some people eat the root. Do not eat the root. It tastes like horseradish, but the root's bark contains a powerful neurotoxin. In large enough quantities, it can be fatal. Leave the roots alone.
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• Constantly trim your Moringas. If you do not, you will eventually have a very tall, very thin tree, with branches at the very top; inaccessible, and unattractive.


• The leaves, pods, flowers buds, blossoms, and seeds can all be eaten. The flower buds and blossoms must be cooked, the seeds should be cooked, but the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.

• Moringa seeds.


• Loose potting soil.


• A sunny location for the Moringas.


• Water


• Pruning shears or scissors

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