I managed to start some moringa in the house. I hardened them off, and they have been hanging out in the direct sin in their little 2" pots. Not surprising they have survived, but not growing. I have been trying to pot them up. The first one was kind of sickly. I put it in a small 16" deep planter with a bunch of flowers I almost killed. I think of this little planter as the survivors club. This little one actually looks a little better, I planted the next one on the back of one of my garden beds. It get morning sun and afternoon shade. It's only been a few days, but it's dropped all of it's leaves. I thought there may be some transplant shock. That's why I have been trying to get them planted this week, because it's been a bit cooler. I planted one in a 25 gallon pot. I put straw around the pot not touching the little tree. This one looks like it's about to loose its leaves too.
I have two more to plant. I can't leave them in there tiny pots, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. All the pots have good soil. The one in full sun is next to the one that is doing ok. I'm going to keep watering them and treat them like they are still alive, and hope they will bounce back.
Please let me know if you have any advice, or suggestions. I had planned on planting the last two on the ground in the chicken yard with a protective cover. Now I'm not sure.
Thanks
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
Sorry for the crummy photos, I went out to take pictures, and this needed weeding, and that needed water, and, and, and... before I knew it it was getting dark. I'm thinking the ones in the small pots are getting over watered and and maybe just run out of nutrients.
I'm not sure why potting them up makes all the leaves fall off. Maybe they were already under stress and potting up was just more than they could take? I will continue to care for them until I'm positive they are dead. the one that is starting to grow new leaves looked pretty sad for a while.
I do realize at least part of the problem is these little guys should have been potted up, or planted a long time ago. Unfortunately it just didn't happen, but I hope I can save what I have.
Thanks
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2 I haven't done anything with
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2 I put in a little bigger pot today because they were turning yellow
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The one I put in the 25 gallon pot yesterday
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the one I potted up a couple weeks ago
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
It sounds like they're going through transplant shock. Moringa really doesn't like having its roots disturbed, especially when moving from small pots. Don't give up if the leaves fall off. The stems can stay alive and push out new growth once the roots settle in.
I'd avoid overwatering during this stage. Let the soil drain well and only water when the top inch of soil starts to dry out. If possible, give them a few days of partial shade after transplanting before exposing them to full sun. As long as the stems are still green, I'd stay patient and give them some time to recover.
For the last two, I'd transplant them as gently as possible and keep the root ball intact. Once established, moringa grows very quickly, so there's a good chance they'll bounce back. Good luck, and I'd love to hear how they do over the next couple of weeks!
Although I don't have experience with plants anymore but my father has, he always tell me not to water plant in the scorching sun and I am sure same procedure would be for Moringa so just let the soil dry and have patience while the person named "mazikeen" provided enough info on this so if I would be you I would stick up to that.
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