Learn the growth stages of malunggay (moringa) and its life cycle. Malunggay is rich in vitamins and minerals, which are good for health. There are lots of people who buy malunggay leaves because it’s healthy. They even start growing this plant to get leaves every time, the growth stages of malunggay. Let’s go.
So, what are the growth stages of malunggay?
- Seed
- Germinating
- Young Seedling
- Malunggay Older Plant
- Malunggay Flowering
- Malunggay Pod Bearing
- Harvesting
Stage 1. Seed
The first growth stages of malunggay are the seed phase. It means that the malunggay is in the form of a seed.
The seed of malunggay is small, circular to oblong in shape, smooth in texture, and brown to dark brown. That is the malunggay seed characteristics. Dry, mature malunggay seed is capable of growing.
There are cases that the seeds are too young, and there’s a low percentage of growing on that kind of seed. It must have fully mature and dry, which will surely grow. The best germination will happen.
One malunggay pod can have many seeds. Approximately there are more or less 5+ seeds per pod. And the technique to get those high-quality seeds for planting is to make the pod ripen.
Make it in the most mature appearance. It will turn green, and then it will ripe, which produces quality seeds. Dry the malunggay seeds under the sunlight.
Satge 2. Germinating
These growth stages of malunggay start to germinate. It means that the seeds will produce some roots and small green leafy leaves.
Germinating malunggay seeds will have a high percentage of germination if you have quality seeds. The quality seeds are the mature seeds that are capable of growing.
It needs harder, which is indeed a sign of good seeds. Brown or dark brown color seeds are best.
You can buy some malunggay seeds near your location, like in the agriculture market or store. They sell those seeds with coated colors which help to stay last long. But it’s rare to find this kind of seeds because usually, people get seeds directly from the pods.
They have some malunggay growing in the garden and then get the seeds from pods. You can also try to borrow or lend seeds from other farmers or gardeners in your location.
If you want to germinate seeds and grow them, you should do it is to develop them first on the seedbox. The seedbox has many small containers to put the seeds and grow.
Prepare your soil, make a hole around 1 inch deep, and put one seed per hole. Cover it with soil and then water it. After 1-3 weeks, the malunggay seeds will start germinating.
It takes a few weeks to produce some roots, and eventually, you will see some small leaves. You need to take care of it to grow it well.
Stage 3. Young Seedling
These growth stages of malunggay are the seedling phase. It means that the malunggay is a small plant that shows its sprouted roots, and few leaves appear.
The malunggay seedlings need more care as their stem is very soft. It’s effortless to break, so you should care for it from the strong winds and the animals. Animals can destroy the leaves and cut their stem, and you don’t like it to happen.
The seedlings of malunggay are great when it has healthy germination. It would be best to water it regularly, especially when it is too hot. Cultivate the soil around the seedlings and apply the pre fertilizer application. This way, it can grow well. It can survive in its final location. It needs enough water to grow better.
In transplanting the seedling, you need to find the best location. Look for a place with an abundant source of sunlight that will help the tree grow well. Avoid those shade areas where the branches and leaves block the sunlight.
Satge 4. Older Malunggay
These growth stages of malunggay are in the form of a mature plant. It means that the malunggay started to produce more green leafy soft leaves and produce stronger stems. When it gets enough water, sunlight, and fertilizer, the best malunggay will appear.
As a tree grower, you should do your job to make it more healthy. It needs more care than the previous stages. It would help if you made more efforts to make the tree better.
You need to apply enough fertilizer and continuous watering to produce a healthier and stronger plant. Your efforts will surely make the plants bear more flowers and more malunggay to produce.
The best fertilizer for malunggay is organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer is a kind of fertilizer made organically with no chemical content. You can try to look for some tutorials online, and it is easy to do. It would help if you did it in this stage not to worry anymore after.
Stage 5. Malunggay Flowering
These growth stages of malunggay are it starts blooming flowers. It means that the malunggay is already 4-8 years old. During this time, the beautiful white smooth flower begins to show off. It has a good smell in our opinion. We like the smell.
You also need to look for some pests that may attack your plants. Some worms can destroy your plants, so be aware of that. But it’s rare to see some problem with this kind of tree.
Stage 6. Malunggay Pod Bearing
This growth stages of malunggay begin to produce pods for the first time. Yes, from the flowers, it will form into young malunggay pods.
The characteristics of malunggay pods are that it is color green when young and dark green when older, then turn to brown when dry. It looks like a long pod in shape and has a smooth, pointed bulk indicating its seeds.
When the malunggay tree starts to bear pods, it is already 4-8 years old. It needs more care. Some adjustments and improvements you should take.
It will help to a best bounty malunggay pod bearing in the garden. Malunggay seeds can be reused again to regrow trees.
Stage 7. Harvesting
These growth stages of malunggay are ready for harvesting. It means that the malunggay is mature enough. The leaves are many and can now get consumed.
Stage 8. Drying
This stages is the malunggay tree turns brown and begins to dry. It stops producing leaves, branches, flowers, and pods. The tree stops growing. It can take a few years before this tree stops growing.
If this happens, you need to prepare your seeds and grow a new tree again. There are many seeds inside the pods that you can use repeatedly. The malunggay tree will stop growing around 10+ years old.
Thank you for reading this article about the growth stages of malunggay. Thank you for your time and effort in reading this whole stuff. I hope you learn something coming from us even as little as possible. Thank you and good day.