drumstick tree

Melissa starts with ...
I am thinking of trying a drumstick tree...it is said t have edible everthing ...including the flowers.Does anyone have experience with this tree?
And if so what do all the bits taste like?

kim says...
The tree is very easy to plant. I have never watered the tree once the plant was established and quite easy to strike from cuttings.
It is hard to describe taste but the roots are supposed to taste like horseradish, not that I have tried it. The drumsticks have a slight bitter taste. Before I continue, I must state that I am no the cook in the family. The drumsticks are cut into short pieces and cooked with your curry. You chew on the stick, suck out the soft centre and discard the hard fibrous outer part. The drumsticks are harvested before they are fully mature. It took some trial and error to arrive at when to harvest.
The leaves and flowers are stirred fried with dessicated coconut and some curry powder.
If you have some Indian friends, they would be able to tell you more. It is a delicacy among all my Indian friends.

Melissa says...
Thanks Paul what did the flowers taste like? :)

riki says...
I planted a drumstick tree about two months back here in the mid mountains in nsw and it seems to have died back. I'm hoping that it has just gone to sleep for the winter. However i researched it quite a bit and apparently the seed pods are supposed to taste like asparagus, the leaves are edible and highly nutritious and the root is edible too. If you google drumstick there is a heap of information. Sorry cannot tell you about it firsthand

Mrs Turner says...
Hi Melissa,
Drumstick tree (malunggay)is regarded as one of the most nutritious plant in the Philippines where I came from because it is high in protein. I suggest not to plant near the house as the tree is a soft wood type and could easily break when during strong winds. It can grow very tall (7-10 metres)and if you can not avoid planting it near the house you will need to prune it hard so it stays to a manageable height. It likes very rich deep soil, thrives in tropical to subtropical condition and needs a lot of sunshine. I live in Newcastle and had a friend who got one in their backyard. It would require a protected area from frost if you live in cooler areas. The leaves when cooked taste a little bit like spinach, which has a bit tangy and just a tiny bit bitter so it is never eaten raw. It is easier to eat the fruit when it is sliced out of the shell. To do this, slice the fruit lengtwise into four or quarters then run the blade of your knife close to the skin. The fruit and flowers can be added in stir fries, and including the leaves they can be cooked as curries, or with coconut cream. We cook it with mungbean into a thick vegetable soup with minced pork or chicken or prawns. You can substitute the drumstick leaves to any dish that uses spinach.

Glory says...
Is drumstick tree grow in Melbourne?

Bruce Carnwell says...
Hi, I am trying to buy a Drumstick Tree (Moringa pterygosperma) but it is very difficult to find someone who stocks this tree. Can someone suggest a nursery or would it be possible to take a cutting from an existing tree from someone that lives nearby? Thanks for any help!

Bruce Carnwell says...
Hi Kim,
That is excellent! My email is: Bruce.Carnwell@qld.democrats.org.au so if you could send me some contact details off-forum that would be great!
Thanks, Bruce.

kim says...
HI Peter,
You are welcomed to a cutting but was wondering whether spring would be a better time to put in a cutting. Give me your email address and we can discuss this further.

juanita says...
I've grown drumstick trees/moringa oleifeira successfully from seeds. Out of 6 seeds only 2 germinated...1 tree is about 12 inches tall & the other one is slightly smaller (it's their 2nd winter)....They don't seem to be affected by the cold weather provided you keep them in the gh away from cold draught & rain...I'll post a pix later on.

Glory says...
Hi Juanita, Could you tell me where can i get the drumstick seeds or plants here in Melbourne? Ta

russell says...
If someone could provide me some cuttings I will give them macadamia nuts in return if anyone is interested.
Also out of interest there is a tree called a wampi (originating in thailand) that grows well in frost prone areas. Its bears fruit like a cross between a longan and a lemon. Looks a bit like a longan but is a bit tart to eat. Very pleasant.
Russ.

juanita says...
My small potted drumstick tree is thriving well in this cold frosty Melb winter.

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1	Picture: 2

Ellen says...
To Juanita

do you put the Drumstick tree potted in a hot house during cold winter or do you left it unprotected outdoor ?

tony daniel says...
Hi Melissa

The drumstick plant is very versatile. Normally its leaves and elongated fruit pods are used in Indian cooking. The leaves have a light bitter taste and the pods have to be used when it is tender, if not it tends to be woody. It is said to be a good remedy for diabetes. Usually it can be used to stir fry on its own or with other veges. When in abundance the flowers are also used for cooking, but then, you don't get the pods, not a good idea. Once again, try to use tender leaves and pods. It is easy to like the taste when properly cooked with the right ingredients. It is one of my favourites.

Ganesh Bhat says...
Drum stick plant can be grown from seeds or cuttings. It sheds leaves in winter,being soft wooded tree it needs to be protected from stong wind. I am trying to get a cutting of the plant in Perth. This plant used to grow by itself in our farm in India. This green vegetable, including leaves or white flowers add great flavour to many south Inidan curries. Helps to reduce diabetis and cholesterol.

Mrs Turner says...
Hi Rose,
Sorry for the delay in my response. I am not getting an update from the forum regularly. Anyway, Belmont is in Lake Macquarie near Newcastle. I think you shouldn't have any problem growing malunggay in Sydney provided it gets a lot of sun and the soil is well draining. A friend in Dubbo said his plant died due to root rot one winter. I replanted mine because it is not getting a lot of sun and I thought it died but it is recovering well. They are very hardy in tropical to subtropical climates.

Darsh says...
I am certainly interested in getting either seeds or cutting. If anyone can help out in Brisbane that would be great. My email is darshan82@gmail.com

Hans says...
ah, our email address is dairyville@bigpond.com,

Ellen says...
Hurry, Hurry, step right up and order your Drumstick tree right here at Daleys, currently they are holding 16 young Drumstick tree in stock .

juanita says...
Hi Ellen,
I just saw your post today as i don't usually show up here often, 1st of all i would like to greet everyone's here happy new yr!...My potted moringa has always been kept in unheated small gh away from cold draught & rain, still thriving well..I don't think i'll be transferring it in ground.

Ellen says...
Juanita

Your drumstick is only growing heightwise not very robust with leaves and branches wise, you know why?

Because you have that shady green thingy covered up in your gh, uncovered it, as this plant needs plenty of heat and sunlight, don't worry as long as it's in a big pot , soil is plenty of moisture, it can stand even in 41 degree Celcius.

thanks to this hot weather we've been up here in Sydney, my Drumstick is springing small brances, I loves it, it will flower soon, I hopes .

Beryl Evans says...
Hi John, seeds can be purchased by mail order from Yilgarn Traders in Geraldton Tel: 08 9938 1628 email: yilgarn@midwest.com.au. Because of the slow start to summer here, I planted my seeds only 4 weeks ago and 2 out of the 8 have so far germinated. I keep them in the warmest part of my garden, but sitting in semi-shade under other plants, but they still get quite a bit of sunlight.

Fortune Bullen says...
Hi Juanita, Im moving from Qld to Melb and i have a friend who has a small malunggay plant growing for me. Just wondering with your pots, how do you care for them in melb with the frost and cold and rain? And if mine didnt survive, would you know how i could get some in Melbourne? Kind regards

Sherly says...
Does anyone know where I can get this Malunggay tree in Sydney?

Mark says...
you can buy Moringa at the big nursery at Fairfield area. http://www.bonnyrigggardencentre.com.au/outdoor.htm

Im after Moringa in Brisbane...anyone got a spare cutting or seed?
markh79@gmail.com

sal says...
hi kim
i would love to have a cut or a seed of your moringa.
Would you be able to email me please
thanks

sal says...

my email add. is msalma16@yahoo.com.au

Kim says...
Ruth, If you can come and collect, I can give you cuttings. I am in Greenbank.
Kim

enija says...
Hello, Is there anyone out there who knows where one can get hold of (purchase) somehow a cutting, or a seedling of sorts of the moringa tree? And does anyone know how long it takes to grow from seed, (those which would successfully germinate. Much appreciated.