How to Grow Moringa for Greater Benefits from Your Moringa
Growing Moringa can be easy and fun. As with all plants optimum cultivation depends on producing the right environment for the plant to thrive. Moringa is a sun and heat loving plant. As a seedling, however, you must monitor the environment in the beginning until the tree is established. Moringa will thrive in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and minimum of 6 sun hours per day.
When to Plant Moringa Seeds
This is the most important factor in growing Moringa successfully. As a basic rule, the easiest way to remember it is: When you can plant out tomatoes and cucumbers, that’s your Moringa growing season. Stay within this time frame for success. Seeds can be planted directly in the ground during this time.
Where to Plant Moringa Seeds
Moringa loves full sun. She can also take partial shade. She loves heat so you can also plant Moringa next to a wall for radiant heat.
Soil: Moringa needs well-draining soil. Increase the drainage of your soil by adding perlite or other porous substance. Dig a 2-foot hole to give the taproot a good head start. The diameter needs only be 8 inches.
Planting: Seed: Give a blessing to Moringa for all she will provide when planting her. Plant an inch from the surface of the soil, cover and tamp gently. Seedling: Dig a hole twice the depth of the pot. Be careful not to disturb the root when transplanting. Protect from hot sun while it recovers from transplanting.
Transplanting: Moringa is very hardy but not when it is young. If you can direct seed, it will be best for Moringa. If you transplant a seedling, it’s best to do this at the beginning of your growing season when the days are warm but not hot. If you transplant during the hot part of the season, you must shade your Moringa until it gets established.
Yearling: Moringa is very hardy once it has gone through a season. Yearlings will survive many weather challenges. Cut the top and plant the root with the top of the taproot just below the surface of the soil.
Cutting: Moringa can grow from a cutting. It’s an amazing quality for a tap root tree. Take cuttings at the beginning of the growing season. The diameter should be 1.5 to 2 inches. The length should be around 2 feet long. In tropical zones pencil thick cuttings work better. Make your cut at an angle so there is not a flat surface where water can collect and bring mold. The sharp part of the cutting can be used like a spear to push the cutting into the soil. Bury the cutting about 6 inches into your soil in a pot or in the ground. Protect for any critters who love Moringa roots.
How Much to Water
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 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.
When to Harvest Moringa
When your Moringa tree is 3 – 4 feet tall, cut it to the ground. This may sound dramatic, but this is the best way to make your tree stronger and provide more leaf. It will send out more than one shoot. Every time you cut it down, it will send up more shoots. In time, you will have a Moringa bush. If you don’t, you will have a very tall Moringa tree with the leaf out of reach. If you want a single trunk but lots of shoots too, cut your tree down to 2 – 3 feet. The shoots will come out of 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 let a few branches stay on the tree. Heat hours determines whether or not you can produce pods in your climate. To grow as a tree, prune from the bottom, to grow as a bush, prune from the top.
Moringa Shows Signs of Stress
The leaves at the base of the plant will show signs of stress first. They may turn pale yellow to white. They may curl or pinch. Keep moist. If the plant dies down to the soil, it can still revive itself in time.
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 Eat My Moringa
Now that you have your Moringa growing, what can you do with it? Eat it fresh in salads or make sauces. Dry it and make Moringa Powder to make a Moringa Tea or add to any food or drink. Make Moringa Seed Oil. Make condiments like horseradish with the Moringa Root. Enjoy finding more and more things you can do with Moringa. The internet is full of recipes.
You can find more information on growing by following the links below.
YouTube Channel – Moringa For Life
Moringa For Life Podcast
If you’re ready for more growing information here is the link to our mini course: