Q. Can you tell me where I can purchase a Moringa tree to
grow in Vegas?
grow in Vegas?
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| This is one of our Moringa (Mallinggay) trees at our farm in the Philippines. It is harvested for its leaves for use in cooking some local dishes. It is now cut back and suckering profusely. |
A. Moringa is a tropical tree that freezes to the ground
during the winters we get below freezing temperatures. Most of the attention
given to growing Moringa is on leaf production. Winter freezing for this tree
in our climate is not critical because it can sucker from its base each spring.
during the winters we get below freezing temperatures. Most of the attention
given to growing Moringa is on leaf production. Winter freezing for this tree
in our climate is not critical because it can sucker from its base each spring.
Moringa or Malunggay leaves used for cooking.
Note: there is a growing interest in many places in “food forests” and the health benefits of Moringa. At our Moca Farm in the Philippines we have about 20 Moringa trees, called locally Mallunggay. We use the leaves as a condiment and cooking ingredient for many local dishes.
Moringa cut back for harvesting leaves. This tree suckers nicely from cut stumps making harvesting easier.
I don’t know any place locally where you can buy one. There are several people
in Las Vegas with success growing Moringa in their yards. The tree is easy to
propagate from stem cuttings if you know someone who will permit you to take
cuttings. We use 2 and 3-inch diameter stem cuttings from our existing Moringa
trees (Malunggay in Tagalog) on our farm in the Philippines. The seed is also sold online from nurseries located in subtropical and tropical climates.
In Las Vegas, I would use thumb diameter cuttings taken in spring and grow them
in a protected location in containers until leaves are seen. The following year
replant them into their final location. Otherwise, start the tree from seed
which can be purchased online.
Note: After this was published in the local newspaper, one reader sent me a note and said she would get seed from her Moringa tree and provide it to whoever wants it. If you are interested. Let me know and I will get you in touch with her.
i've seen potted Moringa plants for sale in Filipino Supermarkets like Seafood City.
They are so easy to start from cuttings. Take a mature cutting about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter about 6 to 8 inches long (should have four nodes) and take all the leaves off. Stick the cutting into fresh, wet potting soil (two nodes in the soil and two nodes above) and put the cutting and container in the shade during rooting. Temps must be over 65F. I would do it in the Fall or spring. Keep the potting soil moist but not wet. You should see growth from the top two nodes in 1 or 2 weeks. Ready to plant when in spring or fall when soil temps are above 65F.
Several people have told me that Moringa (Malunggay) plants are available at Seafood City in Las Vegas, NV.
I include moringa leaf powder to my morning shake every day. And, I have actually recently planted 3 moringa trees in my yard.