Moringa, the quintessential Permaculture tree

Moringa oleifera, also know as the Magic and Miracle tree, a native of the Himalayan regions of India is without doubt, in terms of human use, one of the most valuable plant species on the planet.

Stuffed full of protein, (20% more than soybeans) with the whole gamut of essential amino acids, the edible oil being of comparable quality to olive oil with exceptional oxidative stability, means that if your within its wide range of growing climates, Moringa should be an essential element in any Permaculture system.
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It grows best in direct sunlight under 500 meters altitude. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH. 6.3-7.0), well-drained sandy or loamy soil. Minimum annual rainfall requirements are estimated at 250mm with maximum at over 3,000mm, but in waterlogged soil the roots have a tendency to rot. (In areas with heavy rainfall, trees can be planted on small hills to encourage water run-off). Presence of a long taproot makes it resistant to periods of drought. Trees can be easily grown from seed or from cuttings. Temperature ranges are 25-35 degrees Celsius (0-95 degrees Fahrenheit), but the tree will tolerate up to 48 degrees in the shade and it can survive a light frost.

Moringa seeds have no dormancy period, so they can be planted as soon as they are mature and they will retain the ability to germinate for up to one year. Older seeds woll only have spotty germination. Moringa trees will flower and fruit annually and in some regions twice annually. During its first year, a Moringa tree will grow up to five meters in height and produce flowers and fruit. Left alone, the tree can eventually reach 12 meters in height with a trunk 30cm wide; however, the tree can be annually cut back to one meter from the ground. The tree will quickly recover and produce leaves and pods within easy reach. Within three years a tree will yield 400-600 pods annually and a mature tree can produce up to 1,600 pods. Copicing to the ground is also possible, and will produce a Moringa bush is no main new growth is selected, and the others eliminated.

That's not all . . . Moringa seeds can also be used in water purification

Studies have been conducted since the early 1970′s to test the effectiveness of Moringa seeds for treating water. These studies have confirmed that the seeds are highly effective in removing suspended particles from water with medium to high levels of turbidity (Moringa seeds are less effective at treating water with low levels of turbidity).

Moringa oleifera seeds treat water on two levels, acting both as a coagulant and an antimicrobial agent. It is generally accepted that Moringa works as a coagulant due to positively charged, water-soluble proteins, which bind with negatively charged particles (silt, clay, bacteria, toxins, etc) allowing the resulting “flocs” to settle to the bottom or be removed by filtration. The antimicrobial aspects of Moringa continue to be researched. Findings support recombinant proteins both removing microorganisms by coagulation as well as acting directly as growth inhibitors of the microorganisms. While there is ongoing research being conducted on the nature and characteristics of these components, it is accepted that treatments with Moringa solutions will remove 90-99.9% of the impurities in water.

So what are you waiting for? In a year from now, you could be picking the pods from your very own 4-5m high miraculous Moringa tree!

What an amazing tree, a true gift from the Himalayas. Unfortunately I don't think it will grow here in the UK, or will it does any one know? Apparently it can cope with mild frost, I guess that doesn't mean deep freeze for a couple of months a year.

It's growing range is from the tropics to sub-tropics, which I guess puts the UK out of the running. I'd also imagine it must originate from the foothills of the Himalayas, as I'd say it gets pretty chilly up on those high peaks.

i think it could be done in a greenhouse, although you'd have to keep cutting it so it would never get to 12 metres tall!...but you'd still get plenty from it as a bush...

i tried to grow a macadamia from seed in Britain once...it got to about 1/2 metre tall...then old frosty came rolling in...maca didn't like that...i would try it again though...Nature is amazingly adaptable...just need to make that plant feel as comfortable and 'at home' as possible i reckon...

Peace

Has anyone tried using the oil in cooking, I wonder how it tastes? :P

hi ...
its very easy to grow if you have a garden - once you grow one you can generate more from just a branch stuck in the ground and it doesn't need great soil or anything. But growing it in a pot is not the best way because it becomes a big tree and grows pretty fast...you can buy the powder also which is very nutritious








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moringa

Well, moringa is providing blessings in medical services from thousands of years. I have heard many herbs that are related to moringa tree. So, I am looking online for it. The information that you have shared over here regarding moringa is very informative for me. Thanks

I have known and worked with that plant for over 30 years. Moringa oil is great for salads cooking etc, taste is far greater than olive oil as far as i am concerned, taste a nutty flavor, and has a long shelf life, As far as growing it in cold climates it can be done google it for information, plant it in a big pot indoors, as it grows very fast

cheers