PLANTING

PLANTING

Growing Moringa Tree from Seed

Moringa seeds have a high germination rate. Seed can be sourced locally or can be bought from Land Resource Centre, Forestry Research Institute of Malawi, FRIM, etc. On local collection, seed must be collected from well-developed pods of healthy and productive trees. The best seed is the one that has matured and dried whilst on the tree before harvesting. It should be of uniform size, weight and color; without any debris, like stones, feathers, leaves, twigs, molded and any damage..

A moringa tree nursery should be established by September or October, as follows:

• Take dark soils or loamy soils mix with manure and sand then fill in tubes
• Place 1 to 2 seeds per tube at 1 to 2cm deep and cover them with soil twice the size of the seed
• Water the tubes after sowing.
• After three weeks root prune the seedlings by uplifting the tubes twice a week till two days before transplanting

• The tubes must be watered twice every day in the morning and evening for first 4 weeks then once a day there after
• Harden off the seedlings 3-4 weeks before plants by reducing watering to once every other day or when it is required.

Keep the soils in the tubes moist but not too wet. Germination will occur within two weeks. Remove extra seedlings, leaving one in each tube. Seedlings can be planted when they are 60-90 cm high, and with a strong stem.

Alternatively, seeds can be planted directly in a prepared field. Experience has shown that direct sowing gives faster growth; however, direct sowing should be done when rainfall is tailing off.

Good Seed

Bad Seed

Growing from Cuttings

It is recommended to plant the cuttings directly. The cuttings should be left to dry in a shady, dry place for three days before planting.

Planting using cuttings will result in fastest growth. Plant in well drained soils to which compost has been added. Use mature branches, and not green branches, for cuttings. Do not bruise the cuttings. Handle them properly.

Cuttings can be 45cm to 1.5m long and 10 to 15 cm in diameter. Dig planting holes that are one third of the length of the cutting. Plant one-third (1/3) of the length in the ground. Water the cutting to keep the moisture, do not overwater.

Watering

Moringa trees do not need much watering. In very arid conditions, water regularly for the first two months and afterwards only when the tree is obviously suffering.