Growing cilantro can be a frustrating process if you don’t follow the right procedures. Here are the things you need to consider before planting them.
Where to Plant Cilantros
Choose a site that has maximum sun exposure. The soil must be fertile and rich. Only pick shaded areas if it gets very hot and dry in your place.
Before you plant the seeds, soak them in dish soap. Rinse it. Let the air dry them naturally.
Planting the Seeds
Bury the seeds an inch in the ground. Set each seed an inch apart. The rows should be kept 15 inches apart.
This space is needed when growing cilantro because mature ones need room. Do not plant them if there is any chance of frosting.
Proper Care and Maintenance
Remove the stems of dead flowers when the plants reach two years of age. Fasten the heads and place them upside down over a bowl.
You can also get a large planter with drainage and stuff it with soil. Dampen it and put some cilantro seeds in it.
Put some sand and mix it. Add a bit of soil layer on top. Mist with water.
Place this planter in full sunshine. Set it to partial shade if it’s hot and dry in your area. When you start growing cilantro, expect the seeds to sprout in a week or ten days. Thorough watering is required.
Harvesting
After leaves have sprouted, you can start to harvest. You can collect the leaves when the plants reach a height of six inches.
You should harvest only the leaves that are far from the center stalk. Don’t cut too many of them if you’ll be gathering the coriander seeds.
Continue trimming the trees if you don’t need the coriander seeds.
Tips
You can use a general all-purpose type of fertilizer during mid-season. Water it twice a week if the climate gets very dry. When you are growing cilantro, you can harvest by just pinching the leaves.
Take the coriander seeds only when the flower heads appear. This will begin in the second year.
Indoor Cilantros
It is best if you use starter seeds. Do not transplant those in your garden. Cilantros don’t do well when transplanted. Be sure to space the seeds or plants by 2 to 4 inches.
An unglazed terra is the best container. This type allows air to reach the plant more easily. There needs to be plenty of holes in the bottom of the pot so water doesn’t get stuck.
Indoor cilantro should be fed with some sand and potting soil. Use a fish emulsion fertilizer.
The chemical formulation should be 20-20-20. Apply one-half concentrations biweekly during the growing stages.
They need to be watered more often than those planted in the garden. Keep watering until it spills from the bottom.
Whether you prefer growing cilantro indoors or in the garden, the basic process is easy enough to follow. By caring for it appropriately, you’ll be able to use this in your dishes.
