Content

• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

Use a watering can to water the soil until it is moist. Water the soil soaked but not waterlogged. If water stays on the ground, you have over watered and the soil does not appear to drain well. Test the moisture by sticking your finger in the soil covering up to 1 knuckle.

• Water once a week or more to maintain soil moisture, depending on the climate in your area.

Replant the seedlings that grow from the seeds when they are about 15-20 cm tall. Once plants reach this size, they will begin to compete for soil nutrients and need to be planted in separate pots. Carefully use a ruler or planting tool to loosen the soil around a seedling, lift the roots and plant the new pot. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Caring for Moringa

1. 

   
   
   Water the plants once a week. Despite being a drought tolerant plant, moringa still needs weekly watering while it is in root. You can poke your finger into the ground that covers 1 knuckle to check the moisture. If the soil feels dry, water it. Be careful not to over-water; otherwise, the roots will become waterlogged and may rot.
   • If it rains during the week, your moringa has enough water for that week.

2. 

   Prune the tree with pruning pincers. Once growing, the moringa will grow rapidly within 1 year. When the tree reaches 2.4m to 3m, trim it to the desired height. All cut branches can be planted into new trees.

3. 

   
   
   Harvest the moringa pods when they are 9cm-12 cm in diameter. Moringa is a bean-like fruit, or “drumstick” that can be used in recipes and tea making. If you wait until the fruit is ripe, the gut will be fibrous and less delicious.
   • Boil the moringa until tender and eat the pulp inside. Moringa is full of fiber and inedible.

4. 

   Pick the leaves when the moringa is 90 cm high. Moringa is considered a "super food" and can be picked at any time when the plant is over 90 cm tall. You can pick by hand at this point, and the branches are strong enough not to break.
   • Use moringa leaves to make tea, add in smoothies or salads to supplement nutrition.

5. 

   
   
   Grind the moringa leaves into powder. Dried moringa leaves in a food dryer or hung up to dry. When the leaves are dry and crisp, remove the branches with your hand. Use a food blender or a coffee grinder to blend the moringa leaves smooth.
   • You can add moringa leaf powder to any dish, 1 teaspoon (3 grams) at a time.
   • Moringa leaves can be eaten fresh or dried.

6. 

   Use Moringa for both medicinal and nutritional needs. Moringa is rich in essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. People eat moringa to fight inflammation, arthritis, stomach pain, and asthma. The seeds, fruits and leaves of the Moringa are edible.
   • Moringa has a taste like horseradish and should not be eaten because it contains toxins.
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Advice

• In climates where the temperature doesn't drop below 0 degrees C, you can plant Moringa in the open air instead of in pots.

Warning

• Moringa is not recommended, as they can contain paralytic toxins.
• It is recommended that pregnant and lactating women not eat Moringa.

What you need

• Moringa seeds
• Plant pots
• Mixed soil, sand and compost
• Watering
• Tree pruning
• Plant pot capacity 60 liters