Moringa Oleifera , my edible Bonsai

Is one of the richest sources of essential nutrients often lacking in people's diets. Every part of the tree is said to have beneficial properties. Ancient medicine claims that Moringa leaves prevent 300 diseases and could be a miracle cure for malnutrition as well.

                            

Moringa trees have been used to combat malnutrition for the areas that are impoverished and scientists around the world hail Moringa as The Miracle Tree.

 Wangari Maathai received in 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for the Green Belt Movement's tree planting activities (they had planted over 30 million trees that provide fuel, food, shelter, and income to support their children education and household needs)

In October 2009, as a symbol of life,  Madonna plants Moringa tree at the site of her future academy for girls in a village north of Lilongwe, Malawi.

Seemed interesting that almost every part of this wonder plant is consumed, but have different taste and flavor. The immature green pods called “drumsticks” (similar with green beans) have a slight asparagus taste, the flowers are edible when cooked and have taste like mushrooms, the leaves are high nutrition, are used like spinach and contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas.



The Moringa seeds yield 30–40% ben oil (edible) and the seed cake remaining after oil extraction may be used as a highly effective water treatment.


The roots can be used like horseradish but there is a warning “it contains the alkaloid spirochin, a potentially fatal nerve-paralyzing agent, so such practices should be strongly discouraged”


Other names used : Murungai, Marongai, Murunggi, Malunggay, Sajina, Malungkai, Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, Mother's Best Friend, Radish tree, Benzolive, Moringa, Ben oléifère, Arbre radis du cheval Behenbaum, Sandalo ceruleo, Acácia branca, Cedra, Marungo, Moringuiero, Muringa, Arbol del ben, Ben, Ben-aile, Morango.




The plant is propagated by planting limb cuttings 1–2 m long, from June to August, preferably. It can also be propagated by seed germinated year-round and planted an inch below the surface of soil.

Moringa is a sun & heat - loving plant.






All these information determined me to have this tree in my garden. I tried to find plants for sale but without success. I'm wandering how can I have my little moringa tree?

After I searched for seeds suppliers on internet, I’ve bought the Nicaraguan Sweet variety and I planted them according to the instructions.

Germination period was 10 days, then in my pots appeared shy plants with slightly bent head and twisted stem.

I watching them daily and it amazes me how quickly is heightening my tiny Moringa plantation. Like in my childhood stories, in which Prince Charming is growing in one day as others in 10 days, they surprise me with their boost.

After one week are already 20 cm tall and started to branch out their first set of leaves.

Their reddish stems are graceful and revolving their leaves back to the light source.







Few days ago, one blog article caught my attention with:

“Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you”


Nice and interesting idea.  I'll blog about my Moringa trees journey, starting from seeds.

I have only one concern now: according to those who cultivated before me this tree, it can reach 2-3 meters tall in one year, and when it matures will reach approximately 10 meters in height.

Moringa does not tolerate freeze or frost. Because in my home area is cold in winter I'll grow them indoor. For this, I intend to convert them into an "edible bonsai" and I will try to form and maintain a bonsai shape despite their grow rate.

I don't know if I will manage to adapt it to the bonsai size, but with patience ...

I will come back with details about my first Moringa Bonsai Tree…