Noni, also known as the Indian Mulberry, is a hardy tropical plant that grows up to six feet tall and has reddish brown flowers. This succulent fruit can be eaten just like other fruits. Growing your own, or purchasing it ready to plant, can be a great way to have the benefits of this super food in your home. These tips will help you grow your Noni plants, so they can offer healthy benefits to you and your family for years to come. Noni Planting is quite easy once you have the proper instructions.
First, make sure that your location receives a lot of sunlight. Sunlight is necessary for the Noni Plant to grow properly. The soil needs to be well drained and the area should be cool during the day and warm at night. The soil pH should be around 5.5 or so to ensure good root growth. In addition to the sunlight and draining conditions, the soil should also have organic mulch covering it to help keep insects away from the fruit and the plants.
Secondly, you want to plant the noni plant in fertile soil that has been sprayed with a non-selective herbicide. You can buy non-selective herbicides at a garden center or grow at home yourself with a simple over-the-counter pesticide. Some fruits, such as the red Noni fruit, are very sensitive to chemicals so you might want to refrain from using them. Do not use too much, however; you do not want to harm the fruit’s or the soil’s ability to grow. Noni fruit contains fatty acids, which is why it is so healthy; the fatty acids found in this fruit have been proven to fight cancer, boost immune system function, and improve cardiovascular health. In addition, studies have shown that noni fruit can improve the condition of the eyes, brain, and liver.
Thirdly, you will need to properly care for your noni plants, especially if you harvest them for use as a juice or tea. Do not wash the leaves or stems with water as they may mold. You will also want to be careful not to get the leaves or stems wet while harvesting. Do not dry the plant on a wire mesh strainer because that prevents the free flow of nutrients when you make tea with them.
Once you have planted your noni cultivation, there are a few additional preparations that you will need to make before you can harvest. Make sure to prepare the soil properly by breaking it up finely before introducing the plants into the mixture. You should also apply fertilizer to help the plants grow, but it is best to start with a small amount before introducing larger fertilizers. The soil should be packed lightly with compost to help retain moisture, and cover it with a plastic mulch that is tightly woven.
One thing that many people do not realize about the noni fruit plant is that it can be a host to several kinds of pests and diseases. These include several types of fungi, called root-knot nematodes. If you discover that your garden has become infested with these nematodes, then you should pull the plants out of the ground immediately, as they will continue to grow and spread to other plants. This is a serious problem, so it is imperative that you know how to control the spread of the root-knot nematodes before planting another crop of your favorite fruit. If you are not sure how to control the growth of root-knot nematodes, contact a local soil science institute to inquire about products that can be used to control these parasites.