Rising moringa: the majestic drumstick tree

What could be nicer than strolling into your garden and collecting healthy leaves from a happily growing moringa tree? Moringa is a drought-resistant, fast-growing tree that can reach 3 meters in the first year!

The Moringa plant has some impressive properties that are worth mentioning. It is extremely nutritious and the seeds can be used to purify water. It also has a number of medical uses.

The Moringa tree is full of vitamins and easy to grow. It is definitely unique. You can find instructions on how to care for this tree here.

Get a moringa tree

Good products for growing Moringa:

Brief instructions on care

If you grow Moringa, you can achieve massive superfood harvests. Source: WILLPOWER STUDIOS

All about Moringa Oleifera

Moringa is not only a great food, it is also a beautiful tree. Source: ValMan

The Moringa tree bears its scientific name Moringa oleifera and is a versatile, fast growing tree. Known as drumstick tree, horseradish tree, ben olive tree, miracle tree or simply moringa, the tree comes from different parts of Asia and Africa. In fact, the plant's fruit peel is eaten as food in South Asia.

Moringa trees are widely grown in northern India and in subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. They tend to grow quickly from cuttings and seeds and can easily adapt to poor soils.

The tree has a unique root system, which includes a tap root and many smaller feed roots. The Moringa tree can be grown as a model tree or as a thick hedge.

Moringa has been scientifically studied for a number of health benefits. Since every part of the plant is edible, the moringa seeds, fruit capsules and leaves are known to improve sleep, regulate blood sugar levels and relieve joint pain.

Drumstick leaves and seeds have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Moringa is rich in iron, fiber, vitamins C, A and B and rich in healthy compounds. It is a nutritious superfood!

The moringa tree can reach a height of 30 feet and has beautiful gray bark. The leaves have a unique shape because they are triple composed and three unique sets of paired leaves fall off the main stem. Each set contains tiny oval leaves with large bases.

The drumstick plant bears slightly fragrant and beautiful tufts of flowers. Every Moringa flower is white, delicate and bowl-shaped. Each flower has five stamens on one side. The plant also bears Moringa fruits, the pods of which are slightly angled and in the form of daggers.

The fruits can grow up to 18 inches in size and burst as soon as they are ripe to drive out the seeds. Once the moringa seeds are planted, it can take up to 8 months for the moringa tree to fully mature.

Planting moringa trees

When it blooms, the drumstick tree has a nice aroma. Source: Dinesh Valke

Growing moringa trees is easier than you think. Whether you use moringa seeds or cuttings, the trees grow and ripen quickly. When Moringa grows, you have to keep busy to prevent it from getting out of control!

When to plant

If you want to plant moringa seeds in the U.S., spring is the best time to do it. However, the trees should not be planted in the colder months when the temperature is below 50 degrees.

The seeds can germinate for a whole year if the soil mixture is warm. The ideal temperature for germination is between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius.

Where to plant

Moringa trees can grow in the ground, but are often started in containers. It is important to protect young plants and seedlings from strong wind and stormy weather. You can use windbreaks around the plants, which include heavy sacks of stones, potting soil, and sand.

Moringa trees have a deep taproot system, which means that they need a lot of space to expand their roots in the ground. The trees generally prefer loamy or sandy soils with a neutral pH. You must be exposed to the sun all year round.

Since the plant is native to subtropical and semi-arid regions, it only tolerates light frost. Normal weather below 45 degrees Fahrenheit can adversely affect the trees.

How to plant

When planting a young Moringa tree seedling, you need to prepare your soil in advance. Dig a 3 to 4 foot hole and loosen it at least 2 feet deep, preferably 3 feet. In this way you can confirm that there is no heavy clay soil beneath the surface of the soil.

If you want to change your floor, this is a good time to do it. If you add a part of sand to a part of compost and then mix the combination with your soil, good drainage should be ensured. If your soil is already sandy, just mix in some compost yourself.

Moringa care

The edible seed pods are delicious and nutritious. Source: Karen Blix

When discussing how to grow a moringa tree, you also need to know what its general preferences are! Here is a short list of the ideal conditions for your tree to keep it alive and healthy.

Sun and temperature

Moringa needs at least 6 hours of daily sunlight, but prefers full sun conditions all year round. As a subtropical beauty, it's used to warm weather conditions, which is why it's best to grow in Zones 9 through 10 in the U.S.

Although the plant can tolerate light frost, it should not be planted in areas with long, cold winters. Short periods at 45 degrees Fahrenheit are fine as long as it warms up during the day. It tolerates heat periods pretty well.

Irrigation and humidity

Moringa is drought-resistant, but still needs water to survive. It is used to the high humidity normally found in the jungle and thrives in humid areas. However, you still need to pour evenly.

Deep watering is better than quick shallow watering at the base of the tree. You can do this with a soaking hose, and the gradual dripping of moisture into the soil will completely hydrate it. Otherwise, water at least once a week when it's not raining, and increase watering frequency when the heat rises.

Seedlings need more water than established trees. Keep the soil around them moist by watering every 2-3 days.

ground

Moringa trees prefer loose loamy or sandy soils because these species offer the best conditions for the root to develop deep or into the soil. Loose soil also ensures good drainage. Although trees can survive in poor soil or clay soil, it is best to stick to clay.

Enriched soil is required to grow Moringa. That's why you should add compost or manure every now and then. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of compost around the base of the tree to the width of the canopy. The plants work best in slightly acidic or neutral soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5

Fertilize

If you regularly apply a 3 inch layer of compost around your tree, you don't need a separate fertilizer. Both cow dung and horse dung are acceptable alternatives.

But what if you don't add compost or dung? You may find that your tree works perfectly without it. If his roots dip deep below the surface, he will find material pockets from which he can feed himself. However, an annual application of a slow-release all-purpose granular fertilizer will not hurt in spring.

clipping

Pruning Moringa trees is an absolute necessity. These lush trees grow like wildfire, and you may find that you have a lot of extra work on your hands! A good, stable pair of pruning shears will help.

Remove the branches to open the tree tops and prevent the branches from crossing. This enables healthy leaf development. Damaged branches should also be removed.

Prune as needed to keep the tree the size you want. If it is not serviced, it quickly rises to quite high altitudes, making pruning a challenge! Most of the main pruning is done after flowering to enjoy these beautiful flowers.

Propagation

Moringa can be propagated from both seed pods and cuttings.

If you plant moringa from seeds, germination can take up to 3-14 days. They ideally germinate at a warm temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to plant them is to start in small pots and transplant them into the ground as soon as the seeds start to sprout.

You can soak the seeds in water for a few days or plant them directly in containers. Simply take a small pot and fill it with organic potting soil. Plant the seeds at least 1 inch deep and keep the pot in a warm, sunny place.

Pour it daily until the seeds sprout. Keep the soil moist but not drenched as the seedlings can drown in excess water. It will take a few days for the seeds to grow into young plants. Once they're 8-10 inches tall, put them in a larger saucepan or on the bottom.

If you prune after flowering, you can also choose a healthy, long branch for propagation. The branch should be at least 1 inch in diameter and can be up to six feet long. Dig a hole at least 3 feet deep and wide and change the ground. Insert the wider end of the branch deep into the hole and refill it and press it down. It develops roots when the soil is kept moist.

Harvest and store

These leaves are either fresh or very nutritious as a powder. Source: Ahmad Fuad Morad

Harvesting moringa is surprisingly easy. Saving is a bit more complex. Let's talk about it!

harvest

One of the best things about trimming your moringa is that it's easier for you to harvest an abundance of leaves at once. These leaves are nutritious and are used to make moringa powder, but many leaves are needed to make this powder.

Wash your branches thoroughly with water once you cut them. Some advocate washing them with saline and then rinsing them. Tie the bundles of branches together at their base and place them in a place where the leaves can dry out. It should only take a few days to dry. When the leaves are dry, you can easily pull them off the tree with your hands.

You can also harvest the leaves fresh for salads or as green vegetables. Use sterilized pruning shears to cut bunches of healthy leaves for this use.

Moringa pods can be harvested for fresh food when they are about 15 cm long. With this young, undeveloped size, the entire pod is edible, just like the immature seeds in it. These are often cooked like beans.

Ripe pods can be harvested in full size. At this point the pod is no longer edible, but the seeds in it can be pressed to extract moringa oil. The seeds can also be cooked and eaten, but only after they have been removed from the inside of the pod and rinsed well. Blanching the seeds quickly removes the sticky film and then they can be cooked in a manner similar to peas or fresh beans.

Dried pods can also be harvested, but once the seeds are harvested and blanched inside, they need to be cooked as if they were dry beans.

storage

Fresh leaves can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you leave them on their stems and put the stems in a glass of water, they will stay almost as fresh as a harvest. Change the water daily until you use it. Remove them from their stems shortly before use.

Dried moringa leaves can be crushed into a powder that can be stored for up to a year when dry. Store the powder in an airtight container with a moisture absorbent package. Store the powder in a dark cabinet so that it doesn't lose its taste.

Young pods can be frozen completely as long as they are 6 inches or smaller. After thawing, cook them like green beans.

If the seeds are kept completely dry, Moringa seeds can last forever. The first time they bring in moisture, they try to sprout, so keep them in a dry, dark place!

Troubleshooting

They are not only delicious, but also beautiful shade trees. Source: Starr

Growing moringa is usually very easy, but that doesn't mean you won't run into problems. Let's go through a short list of possible events.

Growing problems

A big problem with Moringa is excessive pouring. Moist soil can lead to the formation of root rot. As is to be expected, the roots of the plant are vital to the overall health of the plant and suffer when putrefaction develops.

Pests

Noctuidae species, especially the Army worm or Cutwormare problematic for moringa. So also a selection of Caterpillars. All of this can be eliminated by using a Bacillus thurigiensis spray on your tree.

Some forms of Hand drill are also a potential problem. The adult beetle lays its eggs on a healthy branch. After hatching, the larvae bored into the stem and ate the middle. The leaves turn yellow and the branch dies. Cut off affected branches far below the damaged part and burn or destroy them instead of composting them. Regular cutting can reduce the damage to the stick drill.

Aphids are an opportunistic pest that sucks the juice out of the leaves. To keep aphids at bay, the number is reduced by spraying them regularly with neem oil or horticultural oil. Small amounts can possibly be sprayed with a hard water spray.

Fruit flies can be attracted to the flowers and seed pods. Yellow sticky traps help identify this annoyance. Keep the area around the tree free of dirt and harvest young pods immediately so that they do not get caught.

In limited quantities Termites can become a problem. Termite damage can be treated professionally to kill the digging pests. Depending on how severe the damage is, the tree can possibly be saved.

Diseases

Fruit, twig or root rot are possible in Moringa. Due to the depth at which the roots grow, root rot is usually untreatable and should be prevented by avoiding over-watering. Fruit rot or twig can be treated with a copper-based fungicide.

Some forms of cancer can appear on the stem or branches of the plant. Remove any damaged or dead limbs and try not to prune too much during the rainy season. This reduces the spread of bacteria.

frequently asked Questions

Q: Can Moringa grow in the United States?

A: People living in the south or west of the United States can usually grow moringa.

Q: How tall do Moringa trees grow?

A: They can grow up to 40 feet tall.

Q: Do Moringa trees lose their leaves?

A: Moringa is a deciduous tree, so it usually loses its leaves in autumn. Some areas with mild winters can see leaves all year round.

Q: Can Moringa be harmful?

A: Surprisingly yes. Large amounts of the pulp or bark of the plant can be harmful. Symptoms that can occur when consumed in large quantities are low blood pressure and slowed heart rate. In addition, people who have been told to limit their potassium or calcium intake may want to use the leaves sparingly because they both contain nutrients.

The green thumbs behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener