How to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse/Polyhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest

Moringa is a tree native to the Himalayan foothills of India and Bangladesh that is also known as the drumstick tree, the horseradish tree, and the ben oil tree. As a result of their amazing nutritional and medicinal properties, moringa plants are also known as miracle trees in their native habitat. While Moringa is native to tropical and subtropical climates in South Asia, they adapt well to grow in other areas if kept out of cold temperatures and harsh frosts.

How to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse/Polyhouse

Sunlight Requirement to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse

Planting moringa trees in a bright, sunny location that receives direct sunlight for most of the day is best. The plants’ growth may be stunted if they do not receive enough light. A Moringa tree needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily but prefers full sun conditions all year. Being born in a subtropical climate, it has grown accustomed to warm weather conditions.

Soil Requirement to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse

Moringa trees grow best in loose, loamy, or sandy soil since these types provide the best conditions for the roots to penetrate the soil fully. It is also important to have loose soil to ensure good drainage. It is best to stick to loamy soil even if the trees can survive in poor or clay soil. When growing Moringa, it is necessary to add compost or manure periodically to the soil. A 2-3 inch layer of compost should be applied around the tree’s base to the canopy’s width. It is recommended that plants be grown in slightly acidic or neutral soils with a pH range between 6.5 and 7.5.

Temperature and Humidity Requirements to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse

It grows best in temperatures between 25 and 35°C, although it can tolerate temperatures as high as 48°C is shaded in the afternoon. Despite their ability to withstand a light frost, these plants are not as tolerant of cold temperatures as other plants. In USDA zones 10 and 11, Moringa plants can be grown outdoors year-round, and in warm summer regions, they can be grown outdoors for part of the year.

How to Grow Moringa from Seeds in Greenhouse

In the greenhouse, moringa seeds should be sown directly into the soil, as transplanting the plants is difficult due to their long taproots.
Dig a hole about one foot deep and wide to loosen the soil, then backfill with soil and compost.
Plant three to five seeds in each hole, 2 inches apart, about 1/2 inch deep.
Fill the hole with soil and water. Soil should be moist but not soggy.
Seedlings should be thinned when 4-6 inches tall by keeping the healthiest plant and removing the others.
Plants should be hardened off before transplanting. Dig a hole slightly larger than the rootball of the seedling in a location with plenty of sunlight.
Backfill the hole with soil, sand, and compost after placing the seedling in the hole with the top of the rootball flush with the soil line.
Water newly planted seedlings lightly after planting, taking care not to overwater.

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Water Requirement to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse

It is important to water your plants generously but not too much. The soil shouldn’t be dry and cracked, but the seeds shouldn’t drown. Seedlings are also fragile when newly sprouted, so water lightly during this time. Avoid watering the stem if you are watering a new plant starting from a branch cutting. The seeds of Moringa can survive in dry climates with little water, but regular watering during the first two months is essential for proper development.

In the second and third months, you can reduce the water and only water when the tree looks like it needs it. Diplodia root rot can occur if you live in a wet climate and grow your tree outside. You can avoid this by planting your tree on top of a small mound, allowing excess water to drain away.

Fertilizer Requirements to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse

When planting, add compost to the soil to provide nutrients. A light application of a general, all-purpose fertilizer can support the growth of Moringa plants. It is not necessary to fertilize moringa plants regularly once they are established. In addition, they benefit from regular amendments of their topsoil with compost or manure.

Pruning Requirements to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse

Pruning moringa trees regularly prevents them from becoming too tall and keeps them healthy. When moringa plants are left unpruned, they become tall with many branches and few leaves, and they will only flower near the top of the branches, making harvesting difficult. The leaves, flowers, pods, seeds, and roots are all edible when pruned regularly and branched.

It is best to aim for a height of 8 to 12 feet, and if you continue to prune, the tree will continue to grow leaves and branches from the trunk instead of out the top. Pruning involves cutting branches back to half their length and trimming the top of the tree. Branches that have been removed can be chopped into 4 to 10-inch pieces and scattered beneath the tree as natural mulch.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases in Moringa

The Moringa plant is resistant to a wide range of pests and diseases. With established moringa trees, termites can still be a problem. Castor oil plant leaves, tephrosia leaves, or Persian lilac leaves can be mulched around the tree’s base if termites are present. The Moringa plant attracts armyworms, cutworms, stem borers, aphids, and fruit flies as well.

Harvesting Moringa Pods and Leaves

Fresh moringa pods can be harvested when they are about six inches long. The immature seeds within the pod and the entire pod are edible at this early, undeveloped stage. They are often cooked like string beans. A mature pod can be harvested when it reaches full size. The pod is no longer edible at this point, but moringa oil can be extracted from the seeds inside. Once the seeds inside are harvested and blanched, dried pods must be cooked like dry beans once the seeds have been harvested and blanched.

The best thing about pruning your Moringa is that you can harvest more leaves. To make moringa powder, a large amount of these leaves are needed. Moringa leaves are nutrient-dense and contain many vitamins and minerals. The leaves can also be harvested for salads or as a green vegetable. Snip off clusters of healthy leaves using sterilized pruning shears.

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Conclusion

Every part of this tree is beneficial, so you should grow it in your greenhouse. Moringa’s leaves, trees, bark, and seeds are used in medical, food, and water purification applications. Most people think greenhouses can only grow tomatoes or capsicums, but Moringa can also be grown there. A greenhouse’s plants must be spaced appropriately from one another. The plants mature in six months, but weeding must be done regularly to ensure good growth.

How to Grow Moringa in Greenhouse/Polyhouse: A Step-By-Step Guide for Seed to Harvest