I bought some African Moringa tree seeds off eBay this year and planted 7 after sprouting in wet/damp paper towels. All 7 sprouted and all 7 have come up. The tallest has sickly early leaves, but it may improve as it gets some age on it. I'm growing them as a food source actually, as all but the trunk and root are edible and extremely nutritious. I'll put a couple links below for anyone wanint more info. . I'm in Texas, so they should do well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-jP-Ut7FTk&feature=youtu.be http//www.ilovemoringa.com/MoringaDishes.html
Thank you, Kitty2. Yes, Texas' growing season is VERY long. We're already in the 70º and got up to 80-81º a couple times last week (but quite unusual this early). We may get 1 more freeze perhaps, as 10 years ago we got a light snow early April. Then it stays blasted hot (90's-low 100's) from April until beginning of October. These trees are touted to get 15' in their first year. Should be fun to watch them grow.
I planted a Royel Empress Pawlonia tree at my last house I started from a 4" seedling pot. It was 8' by year's end and was 20-30' in about 7 years. The fast growers are so amusing. It had grey smooth bark and bloomed the palest purple foxglove-shaped flower clusters. Were messy dropping on the ground, but I quite enjoyed watching it grow. Leaves were about 8-10" and heart-shaped. But you couldn't eat them, so I won't plant one fo those monsters in this small yard I have now. Here's what the Pawlonia looks like, if you're unfamiliar: https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Royal-Empress-Tree.htm
Amy, I think the leaves are edible at any stage, but I wouldn't want to deprive my babies of their photosynthesis just now. I'm most curious about the beans/bean pods and their food potential. But they don't produce those for a few years. Several of my gardening forum pals in Southern parts of the state have them and already have pods on theirs. One lady said she found the greens bitter; the other said she loves them both cooked and in salads. Each to his own.
Not yet, wait until they get the next set of leaves. The first two they get are the seedling leaves, the true leaves follow on. When you pot them on make sure you handle them by the leaves, not the stems. Good luck.
Yes, that's the best time, then leave them outside or in a cold frame/cold GH, and they will germinate in spring. Though sometimes, if they're fresh seed and not gone dormant, they don't need the cold and germinate in a couple of weeks.
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I bought some African Moringa tree seeds off eBay this year and planted 7 after sprouting in wet/damp paper towels. All 7 sprouted and all 7 have come up. The tallest has sickly early leaves, but it may improve as it gets some age on it. I'm growing them as a food source actually, as all but the trunk and root are edible and extremely nutritious. I'll put a couple links below for anyone wanint more info.
. I'm in Texas, so they should do well. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-jP-Ut7FTk&feature=youtu.be
http//www.ilovemoringa.com/MoringaDishes.html
Last edited: 03 March 2017 19:36:11
I had a bit of a seed sowing marathon yesterday. Too many to list but I counted 23 packets in the "done" pile when I stopped.
Small amounts of lots of different flowers, still have lots more to do and I've not even started on the veg yet
Peggy: Your moringa looks interesting and very healthy
. Do you have a long growing season in Texas?
Thank you, Kitty2. Yes, Texas' growing season is VERY long. We're already in the 70º and got up to 80-81º a couple times last week (but quite unusual this early). We may get 1 more freeze perhaps, as 10 years ago we got a light snow early April. Then it stays blasted hot (90's-low 100's) from April until beginning of October. These trees are touted to get 15' in their first year. Should be fun to watch them grow.
I planted a Royel Empress Pawlonia tree at my last house I started from a 4" seedling pot. It was 8' by year's end and was 20-30' in about 7 years. The fast growers are so amusing. It had grey smooth bark and bloomed the palest purple foxglove-shaped flower clusters. Were messy dropping on the ground, but I quite enjoyed watching it grow. Leaves were about 8-10" and heart-shaped. But you couldn't eat them, so I won't plant one fo those monsters in this small yard I have now. Here's what the Pawlonia looks like, if you're unfamiliar: https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Royal-Empress-Tree.htm
Amy, I think the leaves are edible at any stage, but I wouldn't want to deprive my babies of their photosynthesis just now.
I'm most curious about the beans/bean pods and their food potential. But they don't produce those for a few years. Several of my gardening forum pals in Southern parts of the state have them and already have pods on theirs. One lady said she found the greens bitter; the other said she loves them both cooked and in salads. Each to his own. 
Astrantia 'Shaggy' growing along nicely - still no sign of 'Roma' and 'Hadspen Blood'.
Should I prick these out or leave them for a bit?
Hi Andy,
Not yet, wait until they get the next set of leaves. The first two they get are the seedling leaves, the true leaves follow on. When you pot them on make sure you handle them by the leaves, not the stems. Good luck.
Andy, could you tell me where you got your Astrantia seeds from? Been trying my local garden centres but no joy!
Many thanks!
try Chiltern seeds Sandra.
But these are best sowed for a winter chill and if you ask on the seed swap thread this summer someone will have some
In the sticks near Peterborough
A winter chill? Does that mean you should plant them in the Autumn?
Sorry Nutcutlet, am a novice grower!!
Yes, that's the best time, then leave them outside or in a cold frame/cold GH, and they will germinate in spring. Though sometimes, if they're fresh seed and not gone dormant, they don't need the cold and germinate in a couple of weeks.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks!
So much to learn!!