Growing Moringa In Containers
How to Grow Moringa Tree in Containers: Indoors Growing Guide
Do you know that you can grow your own moringa or drumstick tree at home? It is one of the easiest things to grow since it is low maintenance. Whether you live in a small bedroom, apartment, condominiums, or on the farm, it is very much possible to grow this tree. After that you can even make a moringa drink with it, and this is great as there are many cures from the wonder tree -even anxiety
If you want to grow a mornga tree outside from a seed – read more here. For the best moringa tea bags, moringa powder and the best moringa supplement capsules we have a good review.
So, now, we will give you the simplified steps in growing your moringa tree and some other tips to help you cultivate it.
WHAT IS A MORINGA TREE?
The scientific name of Moringa is Moringa oleifera also known as the “drumstick tree” and “miracle tree” is a native plant usually grown in the countries of Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa. It is a staple food that is proven to be packed with so many nutrients and minerals. If you live in a place where Moringa can be hardly found, I suggest you find it in any Asian and wholefoods store.
CAN MORINGA OR DRUMSTICK TREE SURVIVE WINTER?
So, if you are living in a country where winter annually visits, I suggest you plant your Moringa indoors and put it in a humid room and cover it with a cloth that will make the plant warm enough. Another way is using heat lamps or Christmas lights to generate heat into your plant and make sure to place your plant in the window where the sunlight appears.
Moringa Tree Growing Zones
In the United States, it can grow within the USDA Zones 9 to 11. In other words, it easily grows in a climate with enough sunlight having a temperature below 18 degrees Celsius and dies if exposed to extremely cold weather.
CAN MORINGA OR DRUMSTICK TREE BE GROWN IN CONTAINERS?
Of course, it can grow in containers! Knowing Moringa’s qualities, it is one of the easiest to grow. It can be grown in the balcony, pots, backyards, containers, terrace, and in-home gardens. As long as it gets the sunlight that it needs for about 6 to 8 hours every day.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MORINGA OR DRUMSTICK TREE TO GROW?
Unlike other trees, Moringa or drumstick tree grows in less than six months from planting for up to 18 feet depending on how you cultivate it. But if you want to grow it bigger, we recommend planting the Moringa or drumstick tree in the ground as soon as possible and in warm weather.
STEPS IN GROWING MORINGA OR DRUMSTICK TREE INDOORS
Things you need to gow a moringa in a container or pot:
- Pot or container
- Moringa seeds
- Gardening tools
- Soil
- Composted manure
- Sand
- Pruning shears
- Fill the pot with soil. Use a combination of 5% composted manure, 10% sand, and 85% soil to fully drain the water. We suggest using a pot of 12-18 inches in diameter and leave at least 2 inches of gap between the rim and soil’s surface.
- Plant the seeds. Dig holes that are 1 inch deep and start seed in each hole. After that, slightly cover the holes with soil. Make sure they are at least 2 inches apart. One pot can usually hold up to 4 to 6 dwarf Moringa trees and sow about 3 to 5 seeds.
- Water the soil. Moderately water the surrounding soil just enough to make it moist and place the pot in a sunny location.
- Prune it. Once your Moringa starts to grow for about 4 to 5 inches, constantly prune it since it will be forced to grow more branches and leaves rather than grow taller.
- Start giving organic compost. Apply a layer of compost as its feed to keep it healthy and continue watering.
- Transplant. Once it grows taller you can start to transfer them into individual containers or pots. Just be careful and use the right tools.
PRUNING MORINGA OR DRUMSTICK TREES TO KEEP IT DWARF OR SMALL
All Moringa trees need constant pruning since it is their way of growing more leaves and seeds. Also, pruned stems are used to plant other Moringa trees.
To do this, here are some tips for you:
- Once they start to grow maturely and become woody in texture, start to pinch back the top growth to prevent growing taller.
- Prune the Moringa plant every week by cutting branches to half of their length.
- Letting it stay on a pot or container will allow them to remain small because of the limited space.
- Pruned branches can be chopped and scatter them around the soil to serve as their compost.
- Get rid of the pests as soon as possible.
- Moringa has high tolerance with drought, you don’t need to water them all the time.
BENEFITS OF GROWING MORINGA OR DRUMSTICK TREE
If you haven’t known, Moringa trees not just provide hundreds of nutritional benefits to your body, it also brings benefits to your surroundings. Here’s how:
- You can make your own fresh Moringa tea that is beneficial to your diet. Just boil cups of water, put down moringa leaves, and you can freshly drink it after draining it.
- Moringa leaves can be added to your meals, soups, smoothies, and pastries.
- If malnutrition is happening in your community, Moringa can help them fight the problem. Moringa has been used by experts in battling off malnutrition in third world countries.
- Moringa tree is entomophilous, thus, providing the bees and other dominant pollinators a sweet nectar.
- The seeds can also be used for other purposes especially in adding flavors to different cuisines.