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The cultivation of Moringa and its benefits
October 17, 2023
It is enough to look at the bright green leaves to realize their nutritional richness, and not just from a nutritional point of view.
It is the Moringa plant, also known as the "Tree of Life" due to its exceptional properties that have been valued for thousands of years, and which can now be grown at home using the practical cultivation kit. Here is step by step how to grow and benefit from Moringa Oleifera.
What is included in the cultivation kit for growing Moringa yourself
In our growing kit you will find 3 Organic Origin seeds, the same seeds we use for our own plantings, to plant one by one in the special fiber inside the EcoCube.
Why should you grow Moringa at home?
Because their scientifically proven* effects on health and skin are exceptional to maintain its purity; on the hair to keep it clean and not only. Moringa oleifera contains:
2 times as much protein as soy;
4 times as much vitamin E as wheat semolina;
4 times as much provitamin A as carrots;
5 times as much folic acid as seaweed;
7 times as much vitamin C as oranges;
15 times as much potassium as bananas;
17 times as much calcium as cow's milk;
25 times as much iron as spinach;
46 antioxidants;
Lots of polyphenols;
All essential amino acids;
Omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids;
An unprecedented concentration of Zeatin and Resveratrol;
The highest concentration of chlorophyll of any known plant.
In addition to how to best grow moringa, we'll also learn how to make fresh extracts of the tree that are rich in nutrients and health benefits.
Origin of the Moringa Oleifera tree
The Moringa tree belongs to the Moringaceae family and includes 13 species, whose natural range extends from India to East and Southwest Africa and through the Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar to Europe, the Canary Islands and Tenerife. Its origins lie in the Himalayas (Northwest India) and it is also known as the horseradish tree due to the hot and spicy taste of its roots.
Its multiple and valued properties make it 100% edible, from roots to leaves, and it is precisely because of these characteristics that it is used like a common salad in poorer countries and in regions with food shortages.
Once grown and fully grown, its leaves can be eaten fresh due to their great taste and unique nutritional diversity.
Features of the Moringa tree trunk
The trunk of the Moringa oleifera tree can grow up to 14 m tall and live up to 20 years; its crown is dense and rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and a large amount of antioxidants.
Its flowers range from white to cream to pink and are lightly scented with lily of the valley, while the pods can be up to 90cm long and contain up to 35 seeds.
The seeds provide a valuable oil for health and beauty: 10 kg of seeds can produce 2-3 liters of oil, also known as behen oil, used since ancient Egypt for both cooking and perfumery. Moringa oil has always been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a base for creams and ointments. Finally, it contains 65 to 76% oleic acid, which, as an unsaturated fat, can also be found in olive oil.
Mustard oil glycosides are extracted from the roots of the Moringa tree and are used in various cultures as anti-inflammatory and medicinal agents to treat fever, digestive problems, heart failure, pain and inflammation.
As one of the most energy-rich and vitamin-rich plants in the world, it can grow up to 8 meters in a year and is considered a superfood and a source of youth and health due to its high nutrient content. Among the most common commercially available forms is Moringa powder, in which seeds and leaves are dried and crushed.
In these cases, what makes the difference is the quality of the moringa and the drying methods that must be able to keep the properties intact. When consumed fresh, not heated above 42°C, Moringa is particularly rich in nutrients, as all vital substances are retained, as is the case when properly dried.
The taste of Moringa oleifera
Their taste is slightly reminiscent of nettles; The mustard oils give it a unique slightly hot and spicy aftertaste.
It is also great in smoothies, fruit salads and many other recipes.
Try organic moringa powder.
Discover delicious recipes with moringa as the main ingredient.
Contraindications for Moringa
Organic Moringa, especially home-grown Moringa without the use of pesticides and of good quality, usually does not have any particular side effects. However, in some cases it is advisable not to consume the roots, such as during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Read all Moringa contraindications.
How to Grow the Moringa Tree: Sourcing Seeds
First, you need to purchase seeds online as they are not easily available in stores. Pay attention to the quality; Excess seeds can be used for food or cosmetics.
Soil, pot or cutting?
In warm and temperate regions, Moringa can be grown outdoors, and in colder regions it can be grown in pots, provided there is sufficient sunlight.
Moringa can also be grown from cuttings by cutting a piece of the plant diagonally from the trunk and placing it in the ground or water to regenerate the missing parts and thus create new saplings.
When to Plant Moringa
The best time to sow seeds is spring to give the seedlings enough time to grow and thrive throughout the summer.
Procedure:
In a pot with a diameter of about 12 cm, plant the seeds to a depth of 1 cm and keep the soil constantly moist.
The first seedlings, which should sprout after about twenty days, can be transplanted into larger pots if you live in the north, or, if possible, outdoors if you live in the south.
How to Prepare Soil for Moringa Growing
The ideal soil for DIY growing Moringa plants is as follows when using a 38 liter pot:
85% garden soil;
10% sand;
5% compost.
By mixing garden soil, sand and compost, you get a nutrient-rich, chalky mixture that is particularly suitable for growing Moringa oleifera.
After sowing Moringa, you should pay attention to standing water as this does not promote growth.
The right exposure for the Moringa tree
Since it is a plant adapted to warm climates, a sunny position is certainly better than partial shade. It is important to avoid very windy locations so as not to affect growth.
How to water Moringa Oleifera
Since it is a plant from sometimes dry climates, it does not require abundant watering. However, it is important to keep the soil moist at all times and if the soil is dry, watering should be more generous while avoiding waterlogging.
The right fertilization for Moringa
If the soil is well nourished, as we previously recommended, Moringa will not require any special care to grow well. Otherwise, mature manure can be added to the soil at the time of repotting or sowing.
How to care for the Moringa tree
It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and weekly watering unless it has rained and the soil has remained moist.
Since the plant's growth will be quite rapid (about 1.8 meters in a year), it should be pruned when it reaches a height of 2 to 3 meters, to the desired height. As mentioned earlier, you can take cuttings from the cut branches to grow new moringa trees.
The cut branches, along with the pods and leaves, can also be used for the nutritional and cosmetic applications for which the plant is known.
When temperatures drop below freezing, Moringa should be kept indoors in a warm, sunny location. Again, these plants come from warm or dry regions, so frost can kill them.
What to do with Moringa pods
Moringa seeds or pods can be used for tea and infusions; They should be harvested when they are 9.5 to 12.7 mm in diameter, otherwise they will be too fibrous and less suitable.
They can also be cooked to extract the pulp and use it as food.
The leaves can also be eaten dried or fresh.
Once Moringa reaches a height of 3 feet, you can already harvest the leaves, which are rich in nutrients to brew in tea, add to smoothies, or eat fresh.
Finally, they can be dried by hanging or placing them in a dryer. When crispy, they can be crushed with a food processor and used for tea, as a condiment in the kitchen, being careful not to use more than 1 level teaspoon per day as it is a superfood.
Learn how to use moringa powder in tea, infusions, and recipes.
Moringa's known and valued uses include nutritional needs, medicinal uses to combat inflammation, arthritis, stomach pain, asthma, and more. Seeds, fruits and leaves can be eaten, although attention should be paid to the roots as they contain toxins.