Moringa is a money making tree, in our post we will tell you more on how to propagate and grow Moringa.
Propagation Through Seeds;
- Fill in seedlings bags with light soil mixture.
- Plant two or three seeds in each bag. (The seeds should have been soaked overnight.)
- Keep moist but not too wet. Germination will occur within two weeks.
- Remove extra seedlings, leaving one in the bag.
Seedlings can be transplanted after four to six months when they reach 2-3ft tall.
Transplanting;
- Dig the hole 1ft wide and 1 ft depth.
- Mix compost or manure with the top soil and fill back the hole with the mixture. Manure should be 1 or 2 shovelfuls.
- Make a hole in the pit to accept all soil in the bag. Keep the soil around the seedling intact.
- Water lightly for the first few days.
NB; SPACING OF Moringa depends on the intended purpose of production.
For seed production 2m by 2m; 1000 trees an acre, and 1m by 1m; 4000 trees an acre, for leaf production.
Management of Moringa
Moringa tree grows quickly and so must be pruned aggressively to encourage lateral growth and increased production.
- When the tree is at 1m cut to height of 0.5m.
- When the tree is at 1.5m cut to height of 1m.
- When the tree is at 2m cut to height of 1.5.
- When the tree is at 2.5m cut to a height of 2m.
Harvesting;
-Flowers will appear around 4-9 months.
-Seed pods will mature in around 12 months.
-When harvesting leaves or seed pods prune trees to a height of 2 meters.
-leaves can be harvested once the plant reaches a height of 1.5metres.
-Harvesting rows at different times will ensure there will be always leaves ready to harvest as they are needed.
-During the rainy season harvest of leaves can be done in a week time but during the dry spell you can harvest after two weeks.
Seeds fetch 250ksh per kg while a kg of moringa leaf powder fetches at 300ksh
Photos of Moringa leaf powder and Moringa seeds.
