I don't know what's up with mine, but I it is so leggy and doesn't stand up straight... does anyone know what might be causing this? It is kept under a low-heat light at an appropriate distance and kept fairly moist (not wet). At this rate I am afraid I might end up losing it.
I am at a total loss! HELP :)
Hi ambuzz! I find it best to seed cilantro outside in the garden- it doesn't really ever grow very well in pots it seems. It has a tap root, and doesn't transplant well, and maybe most pots don't really have room for the roots. I sow seeds after danger of frost, then sow more till it gets too hot (it will go to seed in the heat). I love cilantro- and i definitely need a lot! sarah
I have grown cilantro only outside, It comes up by itself.
The problem I have is it goes to seed too soon.I read somewhere that if you sow it in the shade it dosen't go to seed. Anyone try this?
Hi Ambuzz. Your cilantro needs brighter natural light to thrive. If you are using a plant light, then maybe it needs more hours of light. To keep it from bolting and dying off, pinch the tops as soon as you see it start to flower and that should prolong its life cycle. Whatever you pinch off, put it in your recipes or even a salad.
I agree, it is best planted outside!
Thanks all... I am going to get some new seeds and plant directly outside... lesson learned!!! :)
Hi everyone,
New member. First post. I've just planted my initial herb garden and love cilantro. It's already (2 weeks) doing quite well but I'm wondering what to expect... I've heard it won't do well in the summer heat and I'm in the south. So my questions are: 1) How long should I expect to be able to enjoy the plant if I keep snipping the buds? 2) How do I promote the most growth? ...and finally 3) Is this a perennial?
Look before you leap... As I said I'm a new member.
Having asked the question, I then took a stroll around the community and found all the info one could hope to imagine about cilantro. I'm sure there will be more questions but next time I'll look a little first.
WELCOME glad you found your info and Dave's.
I have found much wisdom here, and friendly ,helpful people.
Hope to see you around.There is a lot to discover.
New member but old herb grower. Cilantro has a genetic self destruct and bolts to seed in 6-8 weeks from gernination, faster if it is hot. It requires full sun to produce the essential oils that give it its strong flavor. We plant it every two weeks from May 1 to September 1 in order to have plenty. Green Acres Herb Farm, Lowpoint IL.
Welcome to DG carolinesbasil. Thank you for the education. I've been growing it for years and did not know the scientific nature of this herb. Looking forward to hearing from you again
Cindy
But the seeds are wonderful ground and called cumin right? I love cumin in my tacos and burritos.
The cilantro seed is coriander which is ground and used in recipes. I believe cumin is an herb all by itself but I can't say I've ever seen a cumin plant.
Interesting! I found this info
http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-cilantro.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cilantro
I thought that the seeds when ground were what we always called comino and that the English was cumin?
But it looks like it is a different plant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumin
Just saw this thread as a new post and can give a little cilantro help, especially those near me. Cilantro is cool growing and grows like parsley, so those who have grown parsley can use the same rules here. It does have a tap root and is persnickety about transplanting (as in it will transplant, grow, seed and die...but you usually won't get much leaf). Direct seeding is best as was mentioned by sjms and gardengus, and cactus patch. The good thing about getting plants at a big box...even if you get very little usable cilantro, and it goes to seed, you'll probably find it again in the Fall.
I have never heard of pinching cilantro as it does not branch, but only continues up a central stem. I have been told that the North East folks can summer cilantro. Here, in my foothills garden (Cleveland, GA) at 1600 feet, It comes up on its own in Spring, flowers and produces lots of seed. We are cooking Mexican and Asian like crazy at this point :). That's it until Fall when we see it again for another burst of ethnic food.
There is also a slower bolting variety of cilantro called Santo. In fact, one summer here, it didn't set seed at all. But, we live in zone 5 at 1200'.
