I bought some cilantro seeds from Walmart and just can't get them to do anything. The first batch fizzled back in June and I read that they don't like hot weather. I started some more in the house and all they do is stretch and look pitiful.
I have a very dear Mexican neighbor that uses fresh cilantro daily and must be spending a bundle on it. She and her husband treat me like I'm their Mama so I'm thinking a big pot of cilantro would make a nice gift. I'm hoping for a vigorous type that isn't fussy. I've also acquired a taste for it.
I have hand polinated daylily seeds that should make some pretty babies. Also white single datura. They have been stratified and are ready to plant. If that doesn't work, I can send postage. Please.
Want to trade for cilantro.
Plant them outside NOW. They're very frost hardy and will thrive in your winter climate as they do in mine. I never have to plant it. I usually let one plant go to seed and volunteers generally start popping up in December around here. It's not too late to plant now, but don't fool around, since germination takes about three weeks, about the same as carrots and parsley, to which they are distantly related. Paul
Thanks Cactusman. It might work this time since I hadn't realized it is a cold crop. If you snip the tops, will it keep going? I'll plant tomorrow. Does it need a little fert or just reasoably fertile soil?
Cilantro appreciates good soil fertility. Additional fertilizer shouldn't be necessary as long as growth is good and the plants are a rich green color. If not, it really responds to compost tea or fish fertilizer. Harvest sprigs from the lower growth anytime after the plants look to be large enough (about 8" tall). You can top a plant that's a foot or more taller to induce side branching.Once the weather starts to warm, you won't be able to keep up with the rampant growth. By mid-June, they'll probably start bolting to seed, and like lettuce or other leaf crops they'll be pretty much past the edible stage then. They're not a pretty plant in flower (weedy-looking), but if you want volunteers next year or if you want to harvest coriander seeds for cooking, let them go to seed. Next year try to remember to plant them earlier as late October or early November is the ideal planting time. Good luck and be sure to add a few leaves to a pot of beans for a real treat. Paul
Oh thank you so much. I'll probably be able to handle it now. This spring will be for practice but for sure I'll get it cranked up next fall. My neighbor is already very generous with her wonderful home cooked Mexican food. I want to be sure to encourage her. I just love that pico de gallo. I've been keeping her supplied with flowers but it's time to get serious with the groceries. I'll for sure try it in beans. Thanks.
So cactusman, extra nitrogen should do the plants well, huh! Sorry, I'm just reliterating what you described. I'll add more fertlizer, fish emulsion if I can get it.
twiggybuds I brought some cilantro tape seed from i think parks very easy to plant in my raised beds here in florida. you get 17 feet of tape i planted 7 feet i have beautiful plants ,about 10. worked great for me try it
I have sown some I bought from Walmart. No sign of life yet. The radishes next to them popped up in 3 days. I think sometimes my problem is arrogance which in this case looks a lot like stupidity. I've been gardening all my life and just ASSumed cilantro would be easy in the summer. Lots of things won't grow in the heat. I see plenty of weeds popping up so I expect the cilantro will too.
Give them a couple more weeks. They are sloooooow to germinate. But they will be up if you don't let the soil completely dry out. Paul
I did it. I bought some liquid fish and compost tea for my cilantro and veggies. Veggies like lettuce and onions I'd imagine enjoy the extra fertility too.
My cilantro is growing like bonkers now. My Lettuce was getting a little wimpy root wise though. So I switched the lettuce to Hasta-Gro.
I'm getting a good stand of cilantro at last. I'm going to transplant the extras so maybe I can get plenty to freeze.
You freeze it?
I thought I'd try it. It looks like a no go for fresh between June and January. I know it can be dried but frozen has got to be more like fresh for those recipes calling for it. I'll test it with a small amount first. I got to thinking about frozen spinach as opposed to canned and just think it would look and taste better than dried.
You can chop them up and then freeze them in small ice cube trays....or just spoonfuls on a baking sheet. When frozen, put them all in a freezer storage bag. You can add a cube or two to soups or salsa or salad dressing. Same thing can be done with basil.
Thanks. That sounds simple enough.
I bought some Coriander 'Delfino' seeds from Johnny's this spring. The botanical name is Coriandrum sativum.
The seeds from Johnny's are also known as (1) Leaf Cilantro (2) Chinese parsley, with the seeds being called Coriander.
I thought I would give a different kind of parsley to Scooter the bunny, so I bought Italian parsley. I also saw in the grocery store Flat Parsley.
I'm mixed up about thses types of parsley. Can someone tell me what is what. I love the curled Parsley myself and eat it frequently.
Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~