Quick Guide to Growing Cilantro -Planting, Growing, Care and Harvesting-
Cilantro is believed to have originated in North Africa or the Middle East. It is now used for cooking infamous Mexican and Asian cuisines. Cilantro seeds were used for medical purposes, particularly as sleep and digestive aid, in addition to their various culinary applications. Cilantro is an herb made from the coriander plant’s fresh leaves. This herb is also known as Chinese parsley and Mexican parsley. Fresh coriander leaves are the name given to cilantro in the United Kingdom and other countries. Coriander and cilantro are both produced by the Coriandrum sativum plant. Cilantro refers to the plant’s leaves and stems, whereas coriander refers to the dried seeds of the plant.
What is the Best Time to Plant Cilantro?
Cilantro is a cool-weather annual herb. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plant is left in temperatures over 85 degrees, it will bolt, producing a stalk of blooms and a harsh flavor throughout the plant. Plant cilantro shortly after the latest frost date if you live in a cool-weather environment with chilly winters and warm summers. In the northern United States, this involves sowing seeds in the early spring, between mid-and late April. Plant cilantro in late summer, just as the temperature begins to cool if you live in a warm-season environment with scorching summers and mild winters. This generally occurs in September in the southern United States.
How to Grow Cilantro
Cilantro may be grown from nursery transplants, but it is also a simple plant to cultivate from seeds planted directly in the ground. Plant the seeds 2 inches apart in 12-inch rows. Use a regular potting mix for growing in containers. Keep the seedlings wet as they grow and thin them to approximately 6 inches apart. Cilantro rapidly self-seeds, and a patch of cilantro will almost certainly produce volunteer plants for as long as you desire. You may either manually harvest and preserve the seeds for planting or just let the seeds grow randomly in the garden.
How to Plant Cilantro: A Step-by-Step Guide
Choose a jar or a container with a diameter of at least 18 inches and a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
Fill the pot halfway with a fast-draining potting soil and a granular organic fertilizer.
Before planting, wet the soil with a thin spray from the hose. Because the seeds are tiny, mix them with sand in a dish to help them distribute evenly.
Sow the seeds and softly cover them with dirt.
Mist the soil gently to avoid displacing the seeds.
Place containers in broad sun or moderate shade if you live in a hot environment.
In 7 to 10 days, the seeds should germinate.
To keep the leaves coming, harvest at least once a week.
Growing Conditions for Cilantro
Light:Cilantro does not like direct sunlight; they prefer indirect light or partial shade. Morning daylight in an east-facing window is the ideal choice for container gardening. They’ll thrive in a place with afternoon shade in the garden.
Soil:Cilantro grows well in light, fresh soil with enough perlite or sharp sand sprinkled in to improve drainage. Suppose you’re growing cilantro in a garden, mulch around the plants as soon as they’re big enough to see. Instead of garden soil, use a high-quality potting mix in a container.
Water:Keep the soil damp but not wet. Because cilantro grows deep roots, good drainage is important. Aim for around 1 inch of water every week.
Temperature:Cilantro is prone to bolting, especially in hot conditions. Once the temperature rises over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the bloom will develop fast in the garden. The flavor of cilantro changes when it bolts, and it typically becomes sour. You may extend the harvest season with potted plants by maintaining them at 70 degrees and moving them inside to an air-conditioned setting when the weather becomes hot.
Fertilizer:Fertilize the plants every other week when they reach about 2 inches tall with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Maintain moisten but not soaking wet soil. Cilantro grows best when the leaves are plucked often.
How to Care for Cilantro
In warmer conditions, cilantro will begin to bolt, although your plant may try to blossom sooner. The leaves of the plant will become bitter after it blossoms; clip off early flower stems to keep the plant from bolting. Remove weeds as soon as possible so that your cilantro plant does not have to compete for nutrients. Consider applying mulch to the soil to prevent weed development if you have a weed problem. Companion planting should be practiced. Cilantro attracts helpful insects and can help some plants grow quicker, making it a perfect companion plant for other plants in your garden.
Cilantro is vulnerable to a variety of common garden diseases and pests, all of which are easily controlled. Common diseases that affect cilantro include bacterial leaf spot, soft rot, carrot motley dwarf, damping-off, and powdery mildew. You can reduce the risk of infection by avoiding overwatering and proper care. If the infestation is mild, prune out the pest-damaged areas. Otherwise, use extra management techniques like solarizing the soil to prevent pest infestation or spraying the infected regions with the proper pesticides.
Harvesting Cilantro
Harvesting cilantro is a very simple process. Cutting cilantro plants approximately one-third of the way down is all that is needed. The top one-third will be used for cooking, while the bottom two-thirds will produce new leaves. Cilantro should be harvested roughly once a week. You can pick more frequently if the plant is doing well. To keep the cilantro from bolting, you’ll need to pick it at least once a week. If you can’t use the cilantro right away after harvesting it, you could freeze the cuttings for later use. Make sure you’re using sharp, clean shears to trim the cilantro stem. Leave a few leaves on the healthy stem to ensure that the plant can continue to feed properly. Harvesting cilantro is a great method to get fresh herbs for your recipes while also enjoying nature at its best.
