How To Grow Moringa: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing Moringa, often referred to as the Miracle Tree, can be a rewarding and fun experience. Like all plants, Moringa thrives best when provided with the right environment. This sun-loving plant flourishes in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day. However, as a seedling, it’s crucial to monitor the environment until the tree is well-established. You must protect Moringa from cold temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or risk losing them.
The Best Time to Plant Moringa Seeds
The timing of planting Moringa seeds is a crucial factor for successful growth. A simple rule to remember is: If it’s the right time to plant tomatoes and cucumbers, it’s also the perfect time for Moringa. During this period, seeds can be planted directly into the ground.
Choosing the Ideal Location for Moringa
Moringa thrives in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. If you’re looking for a spot that provides additional heat, consider planting Moringa next to a wall for radiant heat. The soil should be well-draining. You can enhance your soil’s drainage by adding perlite or another porous substance. Dig a 2-foot hole to give the taproot a good start. The diameter of the hole should be around 8 inches. Protect from gophers with wire cages in the ground and from rabbits with wire collars above ground.
Planting and Transplanting Moringa
When planting Moringa, place the seed an inch from the soil’s surface, cover it, and tamp gently. If you’re transplanting a seedling, be careful not to disturb the root. Protect the plant from the hot sun while it recovers from transplanting. From the years of experience growing Moringa, we recommend transplanting seedlings when they are a year old. This way they have a hardy root that can withstand handling them once they are unearthed. That’s why we only sell Moringa Root Stock on our website.
Moringa is hardy, but it’s best to direct seed if possible. If you’re transplanting a seedling, do this at the beginning of your growing season when the days are warm but not hot. If you transplant during the hotter part of the season, you must shade your Moringa until it gets established.
Watering Your Moringa Plant
Water frequently while Moringa gets established. Do not let the soil dry out. Do not let it stand in water. Moringa can die of root rot very fast.
Moringa creates a taproot. Sometimes the top plant may die out due to heat, dry soil, or a change in the environment. This does not necessarily mean the plant has died. Check the taproot to see if it is still firm. If it is, keep it damp with filtered sun. Moringa is a very hardy plant and can revive itself given time and good conditions. If the taproot is soft, it is dead. Moringa will die from root rot, which is from poor draining soil.
Frost may cause the tree to drop leaves and even die down to the ground. Keep slightly damp and warm during the winter months. It will revive in the spring. Freezing temperatures or continuous days of frost can kill Moringa. If you live in a cold climate, you must keep the plant warm or bring it indoors.
Harvesting Your Moringa
The more you take, the more she gives
When your Moringa tree reaches 3 – 4 feet tall, cut it down to the ground. This might sound drastic, but it’s the best way to strengthen your tree and yield more leaves. It will send out more than one shoot, and over time, you’ll have a Moringa bush. If you want a single trunk but lots of shoots too, cut your tree down to 2 – 3 feet. The shoots will come from the top where you cut it. Cut it there every time you harvest, and it will be a short tree with a thick canopy. If you want Moringa seed pods, follow these same instructions but leave a few trunks. To grow as a tree, prune from the trunk. To grow as a bush, prune to the ground. Heat hours determine whether or not you can produce pods in your climate. Flowers need to set early in your season for seed pods to have time to develop.
Recognizing Signs of Stress in Moringa
The leaves at the base of the plant will show signs of stress first. They may turn pale yellow to white or curl. If the plant dies down to the soil, it can still revive itself given time and good conditions. Once established, Moringa is drought tolerant. It sends a taproot down to the water table. You can cut back on watering and only water when the leaves begin to droop. That time cycle will vary depending on your climate.
How to Use Your Moringa
Now that you have your Moringa growing, you can use it in various ways. Eat it fresh in salads, make sauces, dry it to make Moringa Powder for tea, or add it to any food or drink. You can also make condiments like horseradish with the Moringa Root. Enjoy discovering more uses for Moringa. Link here for our youtube on How to Add Moringa to your life
Growing Moringa can be a rewarding journey. With the right care and attention, you can enjoy the benefits of this incredible plant right in your backyard. Happy gardening!
Please note that this guide is intended to provide general information on growing Moringa. You can find more information on growing by following the links below.
YOUTUBE CHANNEL – MORINGA FOR LIFE
For more specific advice tailored to your climate and growing conditions, consider our mini course:
THE BACKYARD MORINGA GROWER