Moringa: care, uses, properties and much more

Moringa oleifera has compound leaves

Image – Wikimedia / Hari Prasad Nadig

Do you know the moringa tree? It is one of those that have more uses; in fact, it serves both to beautify a garden and to purify water. Also, it is interesting as a medicinal plant, and it grows very fast!

It has everything to be a very interesting tree. But, if we want to enjoy it, It is important that we know first what it is like, and then what it needs to grow. Thus, we can plant it in the right place and get it right.

What is moringa?

Moringa is a deciduous tree

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Dinesh Valke

Moringa, whose scientific name is Moringa oleifera, it is a deciduous tree also known as ben. It is native to India, and can reach 12 meters in height in a few years. In fact, when the weather is favorable and you have everything you need, it may grow at a rate of 1 meter per year.

Its branches are hanging and from them sprout tripinnate green leaves that can measure 30-60 centimeters long. Its leaflets or pinnae are small, about 1 centimeter long by 0,5 centimeter wide.

It blooms soon, already the first year of life. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences and are generally white, or cream-colored. In addition, they are not only very numerous, but they smell very good. The fruits are brown pods, triangular in shape, and up to 1 meter long. Inside there are between 15-20 dark brown seeds.

The drawback of this medicinal tree is that their life expectancy is short, about 20 years. This is a characteristic that it shares with all trees that grow very fast and bloom at a very early age, such as the Melia sourach It can also grow 1 meter a year and produces its first flowers when it is 2 years old. Although that does not have to worry us excessively, since the seeds germinate easily.

What is moringa for?

The Moringa oleifera It is a plant that has several uses, which are:

  • Edible: leaves, flowers and fruits are consumed for example in stews or soups. The roots can be eaten if they were carrots, in salads, broths, etc. In addition, the oil that is extracted from the seeds is ideal for dressing different dishes.
  • Fungicide: the leaves have fungicidal properties, that is, they are useful to control fungi; specifically, they are used to treat those that attack the roots.
  • It’s medicinal: can help you have better health.
  • Forage– The leaves serve as food for a large number of animals: cows, pigs, sheep.
  • Purify the water: the fruits and seeds are effective in improving water quality, eliminating turbidity.

What are its properties and benefits?

Moringa has several properties which are very interesting for human health. They are as follows:

  • Improves the immune system
  • Has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties
  • It is diuretic
  • Regulates blood pressure
  • Strengthens the heart
  • It is moisturizing
  • May relieve arthritis pain

Moringa care

Moringa has white flowers

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

If you want to have one Moringa oleifera in your home you need to know everything about its maintenance:

Location

It is a plant that it must be grown in a place where the sun shines directly. Thus, it will be able to grow at a good pace. But it is important that you know that, although it can be planted in a pot and kept there for a few years, it will only reach its maximum growth rate if it is kept in the ground.

Earth

  • the garden: Moringa needs light soils, which drain water well. In those that are very heavy, such as those with a large percentage of clay, their development is slower because the roots are not sufficiently aerated. Therefore, if the soil in your garden is very compact, it is better to dig a 1 x 1 meter planting hole, and fill it with a universal substrate mixture (for sale here!) with perlite (for sale here!), in equal parts.
  • Flower pot: If you are going to plant the moringa in a pot, you have to fill it with a universal growing medium that contains perlite, or you make the mixture yourself, putting 60% universal substrate and 40% perlite.

Irrigation

It is a tree that resists drought, and does not like excess water in the roots. Because, it should be watered about twice a week during the summer season. If there is a very strong heat wave and you find that the soil dries very quickly, then water something else.

During the rest of the year, the irrigations have to be spread out more. You have to give the soil time to dry out, and that in spring, but especially in autumn and winter it means waiting several days, maybe a week, to water again.

If you have doubts, it is very useful to use a humidity meter (as this). You nail it and it automatically shows what degree of humidity the earth has, and based on this information you will be able to know whether to add water or not.

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It is recommended to fertilize while it is growing, that is, while the temperatures remain highabove 18ºC. Since we are talking about a plant suitable for human consumption, it is necessary to opt for products of organic origin, such as herbivorous animal manure, guano or seaweed fertilizer.

Multiplication

Moringa seeds germinate fast

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Lionel Allorge

Moringa multiplies by seeds, and sometimes by cuttings. The time is in spring, and the steps to follow are:

Seeds

  1. A pot will be filled with soil for plants, although we recommend using a specific one for seedbeds.
  2. Then, it will be watered well, conscientiously. The water must come out through the holes in the seedbed.
  3. Then a seed, or a maximum of two, is placed in the pot. They must be separated from each other.
  4. Then add some powdered copper to them. This way, the fungi will not attack them.
  5. Finally, cover them with soil, and leave the pot in a sunny place.

You have to water from time to time, every time you see the soil dry out. The first will sprout in a week or twoalthough it may take 1 month.

Cuttings

To propagate by cuttings, You have to cut a branch 30-40 centimeters long and impregnate the base with rooting hormones. Then, you have to plant it (be careful: don’t nail it) in a pot with coconut fiber that you will have previously watered.

Then you just have to leave it in semi-shade, and water when you see that the soil is drying. It will root in about 2-3 weeks.

Rusticity

Does the Moringa oleifera resistant to frost? Well, I can tell you that it is, but only if it is moderately adult (that is, if it is about 2 meters or more) and if it is in a very sheltered area. What’s more, These frosts have to be weak, up to 2 degrees below zero, and of very short duration.

On the other hand, you have to know that if it is a young plant, one year old, it is better to protect it in a greenhouse, or in a room with (natural) light.

Where to buy?

Buy seeds from right here and grow your own moringa:

Moringa: care, uses, properties and much more

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