Many people have confirmed the medical benefits of the Moringa plant. It aids in regulating blood sugar levels, the improvement of sleep, the reduction of cholesterol, and the promotion of heart health.
This is why there has been so much interest in figuring out how to expand it. However, few people are aware of how to prune it as part of its upkeep.
Most people who do not have a horticulture background are unaware of the notion of pruning. This is why we will talk about how to prune Moringa tree properly in this article.
Moringa trees will grow faster if you prune them regularly. Unlike many trees, Moringas appear to enjoy being pruned and will repay you with thousands of leaves, hundreds of buds, and hundreds of blooms.
They grow tall and spindly if left on their own and only put leaves and blooms out at their tops, defeating the purpose of growing Moringas.
We’ll show you how to solve the problem quickly and easily. When you prune your Moringa trees in this manner, you’ll always have access to their abundant yield!
There are several basic principles to follow while pruning Moringa trees of any variety. One of the first is to keep the tree from growing any taller than you can readily trim it back.
Once established, prefer them to be between 8 and 12 feet tall. They get higher at times, but you should always cut them back to a manageable height.
Pinch off the new leaves that sprout every other time they appear when they’re young.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Pruning Shears: A portable gadget capable of cutting through 3/4-inch thick twigs and branches.
- Hedge Shears: Branches up to 1 1/4 inch thick can be chopped using this equipment.
- Pruning Saw: Branches up to 5 inches thick were cut with sharp edges.
- Loppers: Can chop branches up to 2 and 1/2 inches thick.
- Pole Pruner: With a sharp hook-like edge, it’s a lengthy handheld gadget. It’s used to reach branches that are higher up.
How To Prune Moringa Tree
Step 1: Disinfect the Equipment
- It is best to sterilize these tools before utilizing them.
- You must follow the typical horticultural solution to accomplish this.
- It’s made by combining 1 part water and 1 part alcohol with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- After that, soak the items for 5 minutes, dry them, and they’re ready to use.
Step 2: Examine the Tree
- The second step in pruning your Moringa tree is to examine the situation of your tree.
- Look to see whether there are any dead leaves or branches.
- If it does, the next step should be to remove it.
Step 3: Opt for Trimming, Pinching or Cutting
In the case of young plants, either go for trimming or pinching. And in the case of mature plants, opt for cutting.
Trimming
- In some circumstances, if your morning tree is young, you can prune it by cutting it two inches above the earth.
- If your tree ends up appearing like a twig, don’t panic; it will ultimately grow back to its former glory.
Pinching off
- This phase is only for Moringa Trees that are still young.
- Pinch the end of the stem with fresh growth to do this.
- It will foster the growth of additional leaves.
Cutting
- This level is for trees that are more mature and have a thicker trunk.
- This is accomplished by simply clipping the Moringa tree’s branches.
- The assumption is that, similar to pinching; the new growth will produce more leaves.
Step 4: Start the Procedure
- Begin at the very top.
- Most of the branches at the top of the tree will be rather thin, and you’ll be able to snap them off where their roots meet the trunk without using pruning shears.
- If not, cut them at the base of each branch with your shears.
Pruning for maintenance
- Concentrate on branches that are longer than 18 inches.
- While you can completely remove them, we recommend splitting them in half instead.
- Individual branch ends are pruned to encourage growth but discourage length.
- You’ll end up with a bushier tree with more leaves and shade and one that grows out rather than up.
Pruning for Winter
- If you’re pruning in the winter or before a frost, you’ll want to remove the majority of the tree.
- You won’t be able to snap off individual branches in this situation, but we recommend doing so nonetheless to make harvesting easier.
- You’ll have to cut the tree down at the trunk instead.
- Measure 3 feet up from the base, then cut the tree at that point with your shears.
- If your tree’s branches grow below the 3-foot line, cut them around 2-3 inches above it.
- The leaves can be harvested, or the branches can be used as mulch.
- Your tree will continue to grow next year (even though it currently appears to be a dead trunk), and you’ll have kept it from growing so big that you’ll need a crane to get at it.
Step 5: Use the Cuttings as a Mulch
- We break the branches into 4″ to 10″ lengths and dump them back below the Moringa trees once we’ve pruned all of the branches we want for the day and stripped off the leaves.
- We’ve discovered that it “mulches” the trees far better than any of the many mulches we’ve painstakingly piled into a shopping cart and hauled home.
How to take care of a moringa plant?
- Moringa thrives in direct sunlight and enjoys the heat. It thrives in tropical, subtropical, and desert climates.
- Give it a warm, sheltered location with plenty of sun for warming in the winter in southern areas.
- A patio with a north-facing orientation is ideal.
- Moringa is a deciduous plant that loses its leaves in the autumn in cool to cold areas. It won’t survive extreme cold. During the cool season, trees should be cut to a height of around 2 meters.
- Moringa should be fertilized twice a year with a six-month controlled-release fertilizer, once in late winter and once in late summer. Read the label for specific instructions on how much to apply.
- Liquid or water-soluble fertilizers can be used from spring through late summer to give trees a boost.
- Apply compost and aged manure as a mulch to the roots of trees in the garden in the spring.
- Moringa is a drought-resistant plant. On the other hand, it despises ‘wet feet’ and will immediately exhibit indications of distress if the soil retains water for an extended period after rain or watering.
- Moringa in pots should also be pruned in the winter to foster new growth in the spring.
- Keep the planting area clear of weeds and pests. If you see any pests, use a water pipe or hose to rinse them off.
Final Remarks
A simple pair of pruning shears, a blanket, and an hour is all you need to maintain your Moringa tree healthy, whether you’re pruning it to keep it from growing tall enough to require ladders or to prepare it for new growth come spring.
Pruning fosters growth and ensures that you will be able to enjoy your tree (and its leaves) for many years to come.
Take note that during the winter or cold season, Moringa trees go dormant. This is why, even if your trees appear to be lifeless, you should not be dismayed.
It will ultimately begin to thrive again when the weather circumstances are more favorable. Moringa trees, on the other hand, are one of the plants that enjoy being pruned. Moringa that has been pruned produces higher quality and quantity leaves.