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Moringa Tree
Has anyone ever experimented with growing a Moringa Tree? I bought some seeds off of eBay yesterday and I will be sowing them this weekend I hope.
I understand that they are annuals here in the UK due to the climate but I have heard that they are fast growing and can get fairly bushy even if only grown for a single year. You can eat the leave and all sorts, apparently a very nutritious source of iron/potassium and vitamins.
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If you can give it these conditions then why not, sounds good.
The Moringa tree is native to northern India, but today it is common throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Moringa trees grow easily from seeds or cuttings. They grow quickly even in poor soil and bloom 8 months after planting.
I'm not sure if I can give it full on tropical conditions like in India but I can provide them with a good old english summer time and a mini greenhouse until it grows to large for it
Good plant for houseplant in the conservatory or kept in the greenhouse.
I, too, bought some seeds off eBay. Germinated 7 seeds. You MUST nick the seeds and soak in wet paper towels for a few days before planting. I ran a knife along one of the seed ridges. I kept mine outside on warm days and brought inside at night until just this past week and they are tolerating our 48-50º F nights just fine now. All 7 seedlings are doing fine. Below is a photo of my babies still in their pots. I only want to plant 2 of them, but erred on the side of caution. I'd GIVE you the balance if you were closer.
I'm new to them but the food source angle fascinates me. This website has a wealth of information, tips and recipes for Moringa leaves, beans, and the ground seed powder. http://www.ilovemoringa.com/
Don't mind that Banana Magnolia shoot hiding in the back row, basking in RootTone powder. I plan to plant my 2 Moringas out in my front garden in full sun sometime this week. Some even grow them in 5-gallon pots, but they are more likely to come back after freezing off in winter if in the ground. They say if you top them and keep them shorter, harvesting leaves and bean pods is much easier. It also makes a more attractive dwarf-like tree when topped regularly. I plan to keep mine at about 8', as I really don't want to have to use a ladder to harvest leaves/pods.
Last edited: 06 April 2017 19:26:40
Hi Peggy in Texas! I must say your Moringa's look amazing. I'm hoping my seeds have been delivered today or at latest tomorrow.
How long have the ones in the photos been growing for?
Thanks for the heads up re: nicking the seeds, I assume this makes it easier for the seedling to pop through the hard seed?
I will take a look at the website now
I sprouted these early February indoors so as to get a good start for Spring planting. Then I set the pots out on warm days starting in March to toughen them up.
Yes, the seed nicking is a must, as the seeds are hard as a rock, triangular in shape and they have 3 distinct ridges. Funny looking things really. They sprouted their roots in about a week or so.
Here's an interesting video about Moringa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-jP-Ut7FTk&feature=youtu.be
I planted mine into very small pots os potting soil when the little sprouted roots sticking out of the seeds were about 1/2" long.
Last edited: 07 April 2017 15:28:47
OK, I planted 3 outside today in full to part sun. It's the only 3 spots I have for any more trees in this yard. They're sagging a bit from transplant shock, but hopefully they'll perk up tomorrow.
All 3 Moringas perked back up today, so much relieved. My 9" babies are in their new home and hopefully will do well where I have placed them. Mostly sunny so should work out.
I sowed my seeds the other day after giving them a good soaking over the weekend. Only time will tell now. I've got 10 planted up not sure what I will do with them all if they all grow! I think I will experiment with a couple.. bonsai one or 2! If they are fast growing they could be quite fun to prune back.