11/11/2017
We're growing Moringa Oleifera on our homestead! This is one of those things that makes me excited about growing. Moringa is a new one for us here.
What is Moringa Oleifera?
Commonly known as Moringa, it is said to be "the most nutritious tree found on the earth." Moringa tree grows in tropical conditions and this tree is native to India and Africa.
From Mary's Heirloom Seeds,
It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree, native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.
From Moringa . com,
Moringa leaves, which is the most nutritious part of the Moringa tree, is loaded with Vitamins and Minerals. For this reason it is known as the Nutrition powerhouse. Fresh Moringa leaves contain 70 to 75% moisture and when they are dried the moisture content goes down to less than 8% and hence the nutrients becomes much more concentrated. That is the reason why people prefer to use Moringa Leaf Powder in their supplements.
Leaves can be harvested every 30-45 days throughout the year.
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| MORINGA SEEDLING |
Moringa oleifera is a small size tree with approximately 5 to 10 m height. It is cultivated all over the world due to its multiple utilities. Every part of Moringa is used for certain nutritional and/or medicinal propose. Containing over 90 nutrients and 46 antioxidants, non-GMO Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) is one of nature’s most nutritious foods. Ideal for helping our bodies maintain optimum health and balance. Because moringa leaf powder does not spoil, this makes an excellent long-term survival food.
GROWING MORINGA OLEIFERA
From Trees For Life
To grow from seed:
Moringa seeds have no dormancy periods and can be planted as soon as they are mature.
- Choose an area with light and sandy soil, not heavy with clay or water-logged.
- Dig holes 1 ft (30 cm) square and 1 ft deep. Back-fill the holes with loose soil. Compost or manure will help the tree grow better, even though Moringa trees can grow in poor soils.
- Plant 3 to 5 seeds in each hole, 2 in. (5 cm) apart. Plant the seeds no deeper than three times the width of the seed (approximately ½ in. or 1.5 cm -- the size of one's thumbnail).
- Keep the soil moist enough so that the top soil will not dry and choke the emerging saplings, but it should not be too wet or else the seeds can drown and rot.
- When the saplings are four to six inches tall, keep the healthiest sapling in the ground and remove the rest. Termites and nematodes can kill a young sapling. Take measures to protect saplings from these two dangers.
Transplanting
The ground where the trees are to be planted should be light and sandy, not heavy with clay or water-logged.Dig a hole 1 ft (30 cm) square and 1 ft deep. Backfill with loose soil. Adding compost or manure will help the trees grow better.
- Water the planting holes one day before transplanting the seedlings.
- Plant seedlings in the late afternoon to avoid the hot sun the first day.
- Make a hole in the pit to accept all soil in the bag. Carefully cut open the sack and place the seedling in the planting hole. Be careful to keep the soil around the seedling's roots intact.
- Pack soil around the seedling base.
- Water only lightly for the first few days.
I hope you have enjoyed another educational article. If you have additional questions, please leave a comment below or send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
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4 comments
How do I keep the Moringa away from Nematoads and Termites?
Thanks
in Florida in a apartment can I still plant this in my inside patio?
I am getting ready to put in a berm and looking for good plants in SC heat that will hold on the berm and survive in our brutal sub-tropical summers. Does this sound like a good fit?
Since this is a tropical tree, does it have to be moved indoors in zone 7?
Thanks.