Has anyone tried growing their own corriander (mainly relating to the North of the UK) ?

I ask because I've planted out several different herbs in planting trays and all have done reasonably well (basil was a bit awkward and kept dying back, but the chives, parsley, thyme, oregano and mint are all doing well)..

but the corriander sprang up and then went to seed, turned woody, dried out and died off...

did I upset it ?

Steve

Funny you should mention this Steve, because approx 2 months ago, during the hot weather, I thought I'd give coriander a try. They came up very well within about 3 weeks I had a good crop.

But the thing is once you cut or snip bits off, that's it, it won't grow any further. Which is rather disappointing. If anyone has any tips how to improve coriander harvest, they would be most welcome.

Liza

I also grew coriander in regular garden soil. It grew to around a foot and then went to seed. I think this is what coriander does. I kept the seeds by the way. They were as good as any I have bought.

ah I'm glad its not just me then.. I did replant the seeds and I have a few new shoots appearing..!

No Steven, you are not on your own with coriander going to seed. When you cut the tops off, it may come again, but not generally very well. You need to sow serial batches of coriander seeds, to have a constant supply of fresh leaves. By the way, it helps the seeds to grow if you soak them overnight before sowing.

Mamta

thanks Mamta, next time I'll make a better job of it... too late in the year to grow anything other than icicles up in the North now...

Don't even MENTION growing coriander to me! In the north of the UK (Edinburgh), my brother-in-law grew it without even trying, and it turned into a huge bushy thing. That annoyed the hell out of me, since he can't cook, and eventually dug it up and threw it out.

I've never got ANYWHERE with it, either in the Newcastle area in England, or back home in the South of France.

Fortunately, there are huge bunches to be had in the supermarkets here in Austin, Texas, which is a lot better than those dreadful rip-off supermarket plastic packs with 10 or 12 stalks.

Does the secret lie in buying decent seeds? This matters to me,

since coriander leaf is my favourite herb (just had Indian lemony coriander chicken tonight).

Phil

Hello Phil

I am sorry that you are having somuch trouble growing coriander. In the heat of Texas, you may need to grow it in slightly shaded area and water regularly. I never buy expensive seeds, simply use the whole coriander seeds bought from Indian grocers. There are two type of whole coriander seeds they usually sell. The ones that are small, darker and not so nice looking, grow better. You can soak them for a day first, before putting them in the ground. Then simply keep the soil moist, not soggy, and they will germinate. They do take a bit longer than many other seeds, a couple of weeks. My dad used to break them up a little, by placing them in a cloth and gently beating them with a rolling pin. I used to do this too, but haven't recently and they germinate fine whole.

I have been away recently and have os much coriander growing in the garden that I am having difficulty finishing it. Home grown coriander does have a nicer flavour than bought one.

Good luck.

Mamta

Thanks Mamta

I should have explained that I've always got it to germinate, but have never got much further than that: you get two initial leaves which are round, and don't look like small corainder leaves, and then you start to get leaves that DO look like corainder leaves. And then I get NOTHING. The whole plant just gives up.

Any suggestions? I'd try the soaking, but I've always got them to germinate. Maybe I over-watered?

Phil

Hello Phil

If your seeds are growing, the only other problems that I can think of are lack of moisture in the soil or some leaf disease or birds eating the seedlings or cold weather. I buy the ordinary whole coriander seeds from Indian grocer, not the expensive coriander seed packets. There are two types of whole coriander seeds they sell, larger, lighter ones and darker smaller ones. Buy the seeds that are small and darker looking. They are better for growing.

Try growing in a pot with good soil/compost; Crack seeds by a rolling pin so that each seeds divides into 2 halves. Soak overnight. Drain. Break the soil, sprinkle seeds and mix them with the soil with your fingers, trying to cover most of the seeds. Do not worry if some are showing on top. Water immediately, cover the pot with a cling film and keep the pot inside/ in a warm spot in your garden. It is getting too cold at night in UK, to leave it out to germinate. Once they germinate, remove cling film and keep the soil moist and plants warm/away from frost.

I have been away for a couple of weeks and I sowed some a few weeks before I went away. I have so much coriander growing at present that I will have to make a chutney or something, before frost kills it. For the last 2 years, I have left it growing in sheltered places and have had leaves throughout the winter!

Wish you success.

Mamta

OK, thanks Mamta. I'll give it a go.

Phil

My dad just lets some of his coriander plants go to seed and we use those in cooking and also for the next year's batches of coriander. My dad does grow many patches at different times so there is always fresh coriander available.

Do you have to dry out the seeds in order to use them for cooking?

Phil

Has anyone had coriander flowering within 2 weeks of germinating?

My plants are only 2 inches tall and they have flowers.

Hello Phil

I use dry whole conriander that I buy from India grocery store. If your plants seed, use them in you cooking, ground. You can use them in your cooking while still green. I usually put them in my green chutney for good flavour.

Mamta

Hello Rose

That is unusual! Try picking the flowers off and see if new leaves continue to grow. Perhaps someone else will have an answer! Also see; Gernot Katzer's spice pages http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Cori_sat.html

Mamta

I am amased to see how many people are having the same problem as me ie the plant going to seed. I live in the london area and have an alotment where I have tried changing the soil type/ growing in pots but of no avail.

Perhaps anyone with a scientific knowledge/approach reading this may wish to comment??!!

Temperature, I don't believe is a problem as I've tried both indoors and outdoors. Soil type ??. Nutrient supply??. Seed type??

By the way, I find the leaf of the plant more interesting than its seed in cooking...Joe

Hi Joseph

Where are you getting your seeds from? I grow coriander all the time. As I have mentioned before, I buy a packet of 'whole' coriander seeds from Indian grocers and sow them. They usually have two type; 1. light coloured and nice looking ones, 2. smaller, dark and not so nice looking ones. I buy the later. They are better as seeds, though others will grow too. I find the seed packets work out quite expensive.

I sow them either in shallow drills or just scattered on the ground and then cover with a thin layer of soil. It helps if you soak them overnight or for 24 hours, shortening the germinating time.

My dad used to crack the seeds a little, which I also do sometimes. They germinate faster then. Soak overnight and then sow as normal. You do need a warm place and fertile soil. My autumn coriander is still green in the garden, even after snow!

I have given up growing coriander in pots, because here in South of England, I have coriander all the year round in the garden, even now.

Mamta

Is it a case of use it and replant constantly then ?

Yeap, mostly! Sometimes, very early on in the plant's life, you can pick the top leaves and it will continue to grow, but leaves are never as nice.

Mamta

Hey, I have just started gardening with my mum I am almost 15. I would like to know how long does it take for coriander to grow? I have got a medium sized pot, I have just planted a few seeds from a packet of mixed spices. Is that ok? How much grows?

Hello Ateeka

It is nice to hear that someone as young as you is interested in growing their own vegetables and herbs. Good luck.

As to how long it will take or whether it will grow at all at this time of the year, depends upon where you live. In UK, you will have to wait until late April or early May for it to grow outside.

Mamta

My first time with corriander seemed to take ages for anything to appear and then once it did, it shot up and died off.. only used it a couple of times before it was turning to seed ( I'm guessing my gardening isn't upto my cooking)

LOL!

Mamta

Like Rose, I have had no luck with growing coriander. I have tried a couple of time but both plants 'bolted'(flowered) when two inches high!

Any suggestions?

Could this going to seed/flower problem be something simple like allowing them to get too dry/wet or maybe just the amount of root space ?

Steve

No idea about pots (which I've always failed with), but a local vegetable seller from North Africa has just told me that he just chucks the seed onto the ground, hoses the ground, and up they sprout! (This is the Med coast in the South of France).

To prove it, he just cut me off some young branches this evening: really aromatic.

Everyone can grow coriander except for me!

Phil

and me... lol

(well I can grow it but you have to be quick to harvest it before it runs to seed)

Another thought, I wonder if big changes in weather/temperature make it seed? That might explain it with the good summers days we get and then suddenly it drops 20 deg's and starts raining for 2 days?

I chucked some coriander seeds in my flower beds 3-4 days ago, wherever I saw a bit of space. I watered for 2-3 days, it is so dry! I hope they will sprout eventually! I have no problem at all growing it in beds. The soil needs to be moist and warm, that is all. Slightly breaking seeds with a rolling pin/stone and soaking for 24 hours before sowing also helps. I must admit I am often too lazy to do this!

Mamta

Last year I tried to grow on a corriander plant given to me by my brother, I live in the North West of the UK.

My pot was labled "cilantro" and his pot was labled "corriander". Yes I know that they are one and the same, but it made me think that each pot had come from different seed packets.

He produced a beautiful lush plant whilst mine was a scrawny, bolted, something or other which produced seeds like you wouldn't believe. I looked on the web and although I didn't find a definitive answer, some people said that different varieties produced different results, some said that it was just one of those things.

Good luck to you. And remember, if you end up producing seeds instead of foliage, make sure that you collect them all at the appropriate time and dry them, they are very good for cooking!

Would the seeds be good for replanting or would they produce similar plants that are just going to turn to seed again ?

Steve

If your seeds are dried on the plant, they will probably be okay for growing. i just grow the whole coriander seeds that I buy for cooking. The ones I sprinkled about 7-8 days ago, are already out, though still very smile. Just try sprinkling a few seeds in your flower beds and see what happens.

I tend to use any green seeds that I may have, in my green chutneys/curries.

mamta

Might try planting some soon then...

I'm off out to plant some now (nothing like skiving off work!)

I'm pessimistic, though.

Phil

There seems to be all sorts of problems with coriander growing. I seem to have a differnt problem. My seedlings came up very well, and are now in a larger pot. They seem to be growing well as plants but have turned a brown-purple colour, along with some rocket that is in the same pot. Does anyone have an idea why this could be?

Cat, if you have a garden, even if it is small one, just scatter a few seeds in the beds directly and lightly rake them in. Keep the soil a little moist, and they will sprout soo enough. I scatter them around the flowering plants and bushes, and have coriander almost all the year throug. Pot grwon ones do not last much, even if they grow to be 'proper' plants.

For what is wrong with a plant, you will get better response from BBC garden clinic message board, there are quite knowledgeable people there; http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbgardening/F2759007

I always plant outside,sun or semi shade, just a shallow drill, sprinkle with seed (dont be mean or bother with spacing), water and leave. If very hot or no rain for a week then a bit of watering.They like soil a bit moist but not wet. Its best to neglect rather than fuss over them.Closely spaced helps retain moisture.

Once about 12/15 inches high just cut off at the base and use. If you want an easy supply for the winter then just dice up and cram into an ice cube tray with a dash of water, empty the cubes into a plastic bag and repeat until the crop is done, tastes just like fresh in any cooked dish.

Its not the sort of plant you just grow one or two and try to pick leaves off, you need at least half a dozen with succession planting but you can cram a lot into a small space in a bed, border or pot, with 3 crops in a season.

Late in the season just let a few plants go to seed,pick, let dry for a month in a paper bag then collect the seed for next year. And off you go again.

coriander and lettuce leaf basil are my two favourite herbs

Thanks for the help but I'm afriad some of us have fingers covered in pastry, cheese, gravy, and they aren't very green at all... lol

My corriander was planted in a big tray like pot, lots in, watered etc.. but it turned to seed by about 8 inches high... and soon after started to die off...

Maybe its the soil?... maybe its me?....

Steve

Just sprinkle it in the flower beds and let the rain do the rest Steve :-)!

Mamta

I tried that the first time, just throwing them about in the unused sections of borders etc... nope... nothing.... I think the birds might have got them?

Steve

I chucked some seeds on the earth and hosed them, just like my Moroccan grocer said to do.

Nothing.

It's a lost cause.

Phil

I do not understand this. I have little coriander plants coming out all over my flower beds! Perhaps your seeds are vbad. Buy the whole Dhania seeds that is sold by Indian grocers as a whole spice. It is better for growing if you can find the small and not so pretty looking seeds. Most shops will have both. The small, not so good looking ones are the best ones for growing.

mamta

Growing coriande again:

The local Moroccan grocer has given us some of the fresh coriander from his garden. It has bolted: tiny leaves, 8 inches tall, mostly stalks, flowers and seeds. Same old story.

He says there wasn't enough rain in April and May, but that's simply not true.

I have picked off the green seeds.

Should I let them dry before planting them?

Phil

Phil, green seeds are good only for grinding in chutneys or curries etc. For growing, you have to get a packet of whole coriander seeds from any Indian grocers; http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Indian-Food-TRS-Coriander-Seeds-Dhania.html. These are the ones you grind for making coriander powder. I can't remember if you are in UK? If you are, this is a good time to sow them, the soil is very moist. Either sprinkle and cover with thin layer of soil or sow in very shallow drills. It might help if you soak them overnight before sowing. They will grow. I have coriander and lambs Quarter saag (Pig weed or bathua) growing all over my flower beds, I just sprinkled some seeds about 3-4 weeks ago.

Mamta

Thanks for that, Mamta.

I'm in the South of France, where it's very dry right now, but I'll buy some and soak them overnight, then plant in pots. You never know!

Phil

I have to say that it is much harder to grow them on window sill. Pot in the garden, with regular watering will work, I am usre. Good luck!

While you are at it, try growing some pigweed, chenopodium album type. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenopodium_album

The type (of pigweed) Amaranthus caudatus is also highly nutrious and tasty leaves, and easy to grow. It is known as Chowlai in North India and has many sub varieties. Both of these grow in quite dry soil too, they are weeds after all!

Thanks for that, Mamta: never heard of pigweed before.

Phil

After reading these posts I've just planted some coriander plants in the garden, rather than letting them die on the kitchen window sill as they usually do. They've already had quite a lot chopped off them so I won't be surprised if they don't survive, but it will be interesting to see what happens.

I'll look out for the pigweed now too.

The green seeds from the bolted plants are fantastic when pulped in a grinder.

The green seeds I left aside are now turning brown, drying out, so I'm going to plant them once they've dried, since I know they're not at all old.

I'm going to compare those with some coriander seeds from a pack, and see what the difference might be.

Phil

My coriander plants are growing really well and already look much bigger and healthier in the garden than they did on the kitchen windowsill. No sign of any flowers/seeds yet though.

Great News Amanda! Most herbs bought in pots from supermarket, survive transplanting in the garden Coriander and dill are probably the hardest. So, well done! Good luck with growing from seeds next time.

Mamta

I've noticed that the shop bought growing corriander I get grows ok unless you cut some off and then it seems to die off quite quickly! Am I imagining this or does chopping part of the plant make it give out chemicals that affect nearby leaves?

Steve

No idea, Steve, but I'll get back to you once I see how my little experiment with two sorts of coriander seeds works.

Depressingly, our French cleaning lady says that her coriander plant is huge! It didn't bolt! And she can't cook Indian or Chinese food. Nor could my Scottish brother-in-law, who threw his huge corainder bush in the bin. Sickening!

It's an unfair world!

Phil

Hello Phil

I am sure your coriander seeds will work, both of them. One will be perhaps be a bit slower than the other.

Coriander does not have a bush, it doesn't do too well as 'cut and come again' plant though you get limited success. Mine are quite large now and need picking.

Anyone else who like flavours of Indian leaf vegetables, might like to try growing fenugreek seeds. the leaves are highly aromatic and very nice cooked simply with potatoes as a bhaji. They are also great in meats of all sorts, lift the flavour of the dish to another level. Added to the dough, they make superb parathas. If it is available as leaves wherever you live, buy large amount and dry yourself. This is much better than shop bought dry leaves, which may be quite old. I do this and then use the leaves throughout the year.

Mamta

quote "might like to try growing fenugreek seeds."

are they easier than corriander?... I use a lot of methi seeds and leaves so home grown would be a bonus..

Steve

Well, I'll have a go at planting fenugreek seed: I've only ever use packets of dried fenugreek leaves, so it'll be fun to cook with them, IF I get them to grow.

Phil

Hello Steve and Phil

Methi seeds are one of the easiest to grow. They are often eaten as salads, sprouted. Have a go, you will not be disapponited

Mamta

The methi seeds I get to cook with are like small bits of broken yellow rock (a bit like course sand on a beach?).. is that the full seed or parts of its innards?....

can I plant them? or do I need to buy special packets of whole methi/fenugreek seeds ?

thanks Steve

The tiny rock like seeds that you bought are perfect for growing. In fact, you can germinate a few wraped in a moist cloth/germinator and use in salads. They will grow within 24-48 hours in a warm room. Enjoy 'Aloo Methia' bhaji, with tiny new potatoes, it is great with Parathas.

Mamta

So a damp kitchen towel should be enough to get methi bean sprouts then? I can't believe they can get little shoots out of them.. now if you had said they can be used for cutting concrete or something.... lol

I'll give it a go (I take it once sprouted they can been eaten raw?)

Yes, Steve, they do look like chips of something inorganic: not at all like other seeds. I love the stuff: it's really special, and I like cooking with the leaves too.

If I get them to grow, it'll help diminish my sense of being a failed gardener!

Phil

I found adding them to onions and then adding ginger and finely sliced strips of beef, peppers and chili makes a great start to a spicy beef stir fry (finished off with adding egg noodles)

My coriander plants are still doing well and are now flowering (they're not huge though). What do you do when they seed? Do you collect the seeds straightaway and let them dry indoors or do you let them dry on the plant outside and then bring them in?

The suggestions about fenugreek seeds are really good. I have a packet of these but have been struggling to find a use for them, so that's solved that problem!

I got my methi seeds to sprout in two days, on kitchen paper doused with water, as suggested. I've now planted them in a pot. We'll see.

Re the coriander seeds from the plant: I simply stripped them off and left them in a bowl in the kitchen. They dried out and turned brown in a couple of weeks, then I soaked them and planted them.

My daughter also planted chickpeas which had sprouted.

They've now sprouted leaves.

I'm always pessimistic about growing things, but fingers crossed!

Phil

Hello Phil

Sprouted chickpeas are very tasty and protein rich. try them in slad or very lightly stirfried with cumin seeds, salt and pepper.

mamta

Hi everyone

I too have the same problem with growing coriander. I have no problems getting it to germinate but then it bolts/goes to seed. My brother (knowledgle about plants) said something about 'long days' and that you had to sow seeds in succession to provide a steady supply of coriander. I live in N Ireland and have friends from Darjeeling and Delhli who where suprised when I told them about my problem of bolting coriander, so I'm wondering if the bolting problem is due to the length of our days/hours of sunshine. Anyway, I have read Mamta's advice and I am going to try again with renewed optimism.

Leah

I will try to post a link to my coriander picture here for you, let's hope it works; http://www.flickr.com/photos/43845926@N00/619853259/

It is a good idea to scatter a few fresh coriander seeds every couple of weeks. Then you have a fresh supply all the time. here in South of England, in my garden sorrounded with brick walls, I have fresh coriander almost all the year around, except a few weeks when it is very col.

Mum I don't know what you're linking to but I can't see any newly added pictures on your flickr account. MSN me and we'll work out what you're doing wrong.

Ah OK, you've managed to set the photo permissions to private. You need to make it a public photo.

All changed now, so the link 'copied and pasted' should work. You know what I am like with computers Kav ;-)!

link to photo

Might work

Steve

then again might not...lol (did I imagine links worked on here?)

Steve

No, it didn't work. Mine is working now, at least on my computer! LOL!!

I have a jar of coriander seeds that I received when I got married 25 yrs ago. I imagine that they should be thrown away correct.

TV, I'm not sure how long the seeds can lie dormant but I don't think unless they are mouldy that you shouldn't try planting them to see if any grow. If any grow they would be just like any other plant (ie not 25 years past their sell by date) !

Steve

I agree with Steve. Old seeds sometimes surprise you, give them a try. In UK, too late to sow outside, but windowsill might work

Mamta

I am amazed at the interest shown in subjects like this- from people far and enar India. I just happened to come to this link after going to Google, since I wanted to plant some methi leaves on my terrace after a decade.

I am 58 and used to grow varieties of chiili (green pepper), tomatoes, ladies' finger, cauliflower, mint, coriander and methi (fenugreek) in dealwood boxes there.

I planted seeds of bitter gourd , beans and tomato on earthen pitchers last week and all have sprouted and the seedlings are growing robustly. Mint used to grow round the eyar, adn I jsut wanted to make sure about the season to plant methi.

I am keeping this link in 'my favourites'. Thank you Mamta.

Bala

Hello Bala

It is nice to hear from you and learning about your terrace gardening experiences. I am glad that you like the site enough to keep it in your favourites:-).

Time to grow many vegetables depends where you live. If you are in India, especially in the South, most of these things will grow even now. Here in UK, it is too cold now to grow anything outside, though some things will grow in pots indoors. I have some coriander in a pot, but it was germinated outside, before the cold arrived! I brought some mint in a pot this year, just to see how it will do. Both are sitting in my unheated conservatory, along with many flowering plants that winter there every year.

Methi germinates very easily. How good leaves you get depends on the seed and the temperature it is grown in. Growing it indoors is not a good option for me, because I need a lot of leaves to make anything half decent with it. Also, it is available at Indian grocers most of the year around. I grow some in summer. I dry methi and mint leaves in summer, when it is cheap and store it for the winter.

I grow different varieties of tomatoes in pots every year and have some success with bottle gourd and Turai in pots. I have not tried bitter gourd. As I remember, bitter gourd and okra (ladies fingers) grow in summers in India and it will never get hot enough here. Conservatory in summer gets too hot and plants burn.

Keep in touch and share some South Indian recipes with us. I am experimenting with tamarind rice at present, not using the commercially available mixes for it. If you have a good family recipe that you would like to share with us, do send it via the contact link.

Cheers!

Mamta

Coriander or Cilantro, can be very difficult to grow well. It's very sensitive to day length and temperature extremes. It does not transplant well at all - so plant is where it will mature. Also, do not plant the spice - the seeds -with the expectation of using the leaves. They are different varieties. Sometimes it works well - but you have to have the perfect climate for it. Get the varities that are bolt (going to seed) resistant.

It is basically a cool season plant adapted for growning in the Winter in warm temperate and sub tropical climates. So growing it in the north is a challenge. The best cilantro I've ever grown has been in a large window box. It sprouted very early - early April, and matured in June. It grew to almost 2 feet, and then started to bolt - and grew to about 3 feet high. One plant produced an abundance of leaves! But more often you need to plant it weekly so that you have lots of plants to harvest from. Some people grow it in very high density beds and simply mow it like grass for culinary use.

People who've grown it successfully here in the Mountains of Utah, planted it very early - March - and covered it with agrofabric - remay. This warmed the soil and it germinates quickly. You can also try to plant it later in the Summer for it to grown on in the Fall. You may have to shade it at this time of year with some mulch and will have to water every day if there is no rain. It's best in rich soil with a constant supply of moisture - but not overwatered. It tolerates mild frost well.

1. Get compost or good soil,

2. wet lots of corriander seeds over night and plant next day, (one seed per 4mm squared area, or fistful per foot square tray as only half will germinate),

keep moist,

3. keep in very bright warm area like window sill,

4. make minimum 4 trays and grow a fresh tray every week, within 4 weeks they will be ready, change compost every fresh growth as corriander will take all goodness from soil,

5. U will have enough for all yr round. Keep seeds and plant them again when dry.

6. Eat them regularly,

7. Tell all ur friends, family and enemy, the enemy will become your friends very quickly, this is the spice for taste, aroma, health, digestion and good conversation.

8. Do nothing else. love a lil more.....

"...the enemy will become your friends very quickly"

LOL!!

Mamta

The only thing clinging on here is a couple of chilli plants and some basil, but they don't look like they will last much longer

(inside the house on the windowsil)

Steve

Steve,

I too have an indoor chilli plant hanging on for dear life, but I think I see new (small) leaves.

Re coriander plants: I finally succeeded with a window box, with much sunshine. I tried planting some new seed recently, but they haven't sprouted, probably because it's too cold (even here in the South of France, near the Med coast: it's not been a nice winter).

I haven't found that corainder seeds bought for cooking fail to produce tasty leaves once they've grown. Are there really two species, as suggested?

Cheers

Phil

I too have a chilli plant with a few very healthy looking, deep red chillies hanging from it. I take one when I need afresh one. This was grown from seeds of a whole red chilli in my spice cupboard, so probably more hardy than Sutton seeds one ;-)!

I am not growing coriander this winter, will start again in spring. Window sill grown one is never as healthy as the outdoor one. It is okay, but not great!

Mamta

I'm so glad I've found this board. I thought it was just me that couldn't grow corriander for its leaf. I've taken on board all the suggestions made and will try again this year. When is the best time to plant the first seeds and what is the latest you can plant them and expect them to grow outdoors? I'd love a walled garden somewhere mild but unfortunately I am in NW England and have quite an exposed garden.

Welcome Wendolene!

Try growing it on South facing aspect, protected by some perennial bushes.

Hi all - first time I've posted. I think you've got a great site here - found you when I was googling for a spinach bahji recipe.

Anyway you might want to know that www.organiccatalog.com have two varieties of coriander seed - one for leaf production and one for seeds.

I haven't tried the coriander myself, but I have bought other seeds from them before.

Hi jack

Welcome :-)!

I personally use the whole coriander seeds (the dark, small and not so pretty ones) that are sold as a spice at Indian shops and get fairly good crop.

Mamta

Hi,

I always bought the seeds for the leaf production, the results where mostly disappointing. My leaf crop was always very small. The plants started flowering very fast and I got lots of very good tasting seeds. This year I`ll follow Mamtas suggestion. I think something is wrong with the climate or the soil.

Catrin

So glad to find this thread.

I've tried for years to grow it, but very quickly end up with lovely flowering bushes!! I've tried every type of seed in the book.

I've given up!

Don't give up yet Tim. I have just put some seeds in a pot in general purpose compost. The pot is outside (south of England), where it is quite warm at the moment. For the moment they are covered with a plastic dish. I am sure they will come up in a week or two. If gets too cold, I will bring the pot in. The seeds are the ordinary ones that I buy for my spice box.

Mamta

outside ! up here in the North we are still having hail storms and snow !

Steve

Hello Steve

Temperature here is 14-16 today. I was working in my garden all aftrenoon yesterday in my full sleeved shirt! It was bright sunshine, all my neighbours were out, just like summer:-)! Same is predicted for today. may be we will get snow in May, LOL!

Actually we got a break in the clouds a few days back and I was out in my shorts and t-shirt mowing the grass ! (don't let this fool you into thinking it was summer though, I'm in my shorts most of the year as I'm always hot). However it did start a wave of panic mowing... everyone started coming out thinking it must now be time for the gardens first hair cut after winter... lol

Steve

I planted some coriander seeds in our window box in January, and some of them have sprouted, but I think that low temperatures don't favour germination.

I'm going to plant more once the weather gets warmer. Our window box is north-facibf, but we're near the Mediterrean coast in the south of France, so the baseline temperature is higher than when we were in Northumberland!

Phil

Good to see this thread.Also in NW and post a couple of Coriander attempts.How much temperature and day length variation will it tolerate? Can you drill in and either flame weed or lightly cultivate to minimise weeds before emergence of shoots or will this cause it to bolt as well?

Regards

Adam

This is a long thread, so I don't know if what I am stating is a repeat. Many contributors would seem to be going or gone down a mistaken route that I took some years ago. If you buy seeds labelled "Coriander" you will grow a product that quickly turns to seed. Great if that is what you want but increasingly - and in my case, what I want is leaf - the sort you get in Indian grocers but not in the supermarkets.

If you want leaf, buy Cilantro - not so easily available but any specialsit mail order seed producer will provide. Aspects, soil are largelt irrelvent - this is what you want.

Hope this is helpful.

Isn't Cilantro simply American name for Coriander?

I'm not sure if there are any subtle difference but as far as I'm aware yes they are one and the same

Steve

I thought cilantro was a flat-leafed type of parsley and not coriander at all.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriander

"cilantro" is what we call "corriander leaf" which resembles the flat leaf type of parsley (rather than the curly leaf parsley)which maybe the confusion.

Steve

As said, I've tried it under all its names & we still get a pretty bush!!

A few links relating to cilantro/corriander

Cilantro: A Plant with Two Identities

This one gives a good explination - "techinically Corriander refers to the whole plant, while cilantro is the spanish word for corriander leaves"

whats cooking america.net/cilantro

There then does seem to be an odd report here and there of "delfino cilantro" which appears to be a different varient that looks a little less like the corriander leaves we know.

foodmayhem.com/delfino-cilantro

all with pictures so that should help

Steve

Thanks for that, Steve

When we spent a semester in Austin, Texas, we bought coriander at the supermarket; it was called 'cilantro'. I couldn't see that it was anything other than what we know as coriander.

But the idea that there is a leaf/fruit vs plant distinction in Spanish is plausible:

in Scotland, we use 'bramble' for both the bush and the fruit, whereas the English call the plant a 'bramble', and the fruit a 'blackberry'.

I'm still awaiting warmer weather here in the South of France for our coriander to grow better in the window box.

I'm convinced that temperature plays a role!

Phil

I have a black walnut tree where I would need to plant the coriander seeds.

Is coriander affected by the juglone in the black walnut roots? Do you think it would grow there?

Hi skglily welcome to the forum !

It appears the growing conditions under the black walnut are difficult for most plants due to the chemicals around its root system.

A comprehensive list can be found here -

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/landscape/Juglone.htm

I'm guessing that Corriander isn't going to stand it very well but you could experiment and see what you get !

I'm also guessing that it isn't going to appear poisonous to humans as several fruits and veg are mentioned in the list as being able to grow there !

Steve

I grow Coriander here in Australia. I have a constant supply of it. I love the stuff. I buy them as seedlings from the nursery, throw them in the vegie patch. A couple of months later when they are done I strip the leaves and store in ziplock bags in the freezer. I then plant the next batch. Endless supply of fresh frozen and fresh straight off the plants. Cant get enough of the stuff. The frozen leaves taste as fresh as when they were first picked.

Cheers

Steve

Just found this thread after googling coriander growing. I'm about to try my second batch this year (the first batch failed to even germinate) so after reading this I'll try soaking it overnight. I've occasionally managed to get it going in the past, but usually I just get approximately 5 leaves and then it bolts. I'm so glad to read that it's not just me that's rubbish at growing coriander!

Very excited about growing methi - I can't buy methi leaves fresh here in the UK, and methi paratha's would be delicious - especially with the rhubarb chilli chutney I've just made a huge batch of! I suspect you'll see me around this forum fairly frequently from now on! :-D

the secret is to sow lotsof seeds.Corriander doed not likebeing cut back or transplanted.once you have used some leaves try to use the whole plant asap.Freeze what you dont need and for the freshest taste use before it starts to run to seed.

It is like sowing radish, close together but not on top of each others. I usually sow the seeds in drills about 2 inches aprt. Sometimes I just scatter seeds on a small bed and cover with soil. Keep well watered.

I grew coriander in tomato grow bags and it was successful. I just pluck the leaves wash it, chop it fine and freeze it for future use, maybe it is not as good as fresh ones but does the job.

although the word cilantro is said to be Spanish, the word comes from culantro, which, unfortunately is the name of a completely different herb, found in Mexico, but also in Thailand. Its flavour is very similar to coriander leaf, and is probably what Thai's use instead on coriander.

Some varieties of coriander seed are sold by seed sellers particularly for its leaf, and this is commonly called 'cilantro' variety.

At my local market, we call it dhania (yes I know it is Hindi ;?), and it's bought as two or three bunches at a time, along with mint and dill, every week. I pop into a jug half full of water, and it just about lasts the week if I keep an eye on the water.

Recently I was told by a family friend how to preserve coriander, I tried it and even after 4/5 weeks in the refrigerator it still looks good enough.

Cut the roots off and place the coriander on kitchen towel(cotton) and wrap the coriander just ONCE and place it in the plastic box ( I used a box approx 3 inch deep, place 1/2 sheet of paper at the base of the plastic box before placing the wrapped coriander on it (if the plant is a bit wet). The plastic box should be left open in the refrigerator and nothing should be placed upon it. I prefer to wash it afterwards when I need it, as it would save me the headache of drying it before preserving it.

I will try this with mynext lot, but may take time. i don't buy it very often in summer, just pick what i need from the garden :-). If you would like me to add it here; http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=13437 , let me know.

Mamta

Sure Mamta, why not.

Thanks

Hello Rajneesh

I have added your method, but had to move the sentences around a bit. Please check that I have not changed the meaning. If I have, please send me the amended version by e-mail (Contact link), I will correct it. Thanks

Coriander Leaves - How to Preserve Them?

Hi

Just finished browsing through this thread and I'm all ready to sow my first batch of seeds (which came off a bought plant that flowered, went all leggy and seeded before we could get any leaves off it). I am In New Zealand and the nights are getting fairly cold. The place where I live pretty much gets limited to no sun - there is one windowsill that gets sun - when there is any - for about 2 hours - in the morning.

Will my coriander grow in those conditions? Or should I wait till next spring and try then? (I also have a black thumb when it comes to trying to grow anything - I'm hoping I've outgrown it)

Thanks for your time

Caytlyn

It does not sound likeyou have perfect conditions for growing coriander. I would try a few seeds in a small yoghurt pot first., making sure that the pot has a hole in the bottom for drainage.

Good luck

Mamta

Corrinader has difficulties being transferred from a pot you buy to your own soil. It has tendency to become 'stressed' and goes to seed.

Try to grow from seed and keep the sedds coming through to replensih if you have any that still become stressed.

Hi

I have only just seen this message. I have given up trying to grow coriander and when its so cheap and fresh from a local store (in the midlands) I wonder why I even bothered trying.

Soo, I'm with you on this one... I've tried to grow it and it comes up very fine, goes to flower, wilts and dies... I've managed to keep other things going so I'm guessing corriander just doesn't like me... LOL

Steve

Agree too. I grow many herbs, chillies etc. in window boxes

However for Coriander I just go the market and buy what seems like a carrier bag full for fifty pence. Having used a handful for the recipe intended any suggestions as to what I should do with the rest?

Hi Winton

we used to feed our left overs to the rabbit who loved coriander but now she is no more we compost any leftovers.

Mamta -

I just throw the seeds in beds, keep them watered and they come up. I do it ever few weeks, to keep a constant supply.

To use up surplus, I often make green chutney; put coriander, handful of mint, fruit like orange/lemon/apple/peach (whatever is surplus/going out of date) in a blender, along with salt (black salt from Indian shop is good), green chillies, tsp. roast cumin. Blend. this is great with all Indian food, snacks like samosas, in sandwiches etc. Added to yoghurt, it makes a lovely raita. I put in small jars (like mustard/mint sauce type) and put them in the freezer, using one at a time.

(Mamta is struggling to get on the site from where she is but has managed to email me some of the answers !)

Steve

Thanks Steve. I am back on the internet. There was some sort of Diwali overload problem here yesterday!

im just wondering how long does it take corriander to grow?

I've only re-read part of this thread, so I hope this hasn't been mentioned before.

If you want coriander leaf, then buy a 'variety' called cilantro. This is the name Americans call the herb, but look here for clarification:

http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/chilternseeds/default/

just type coriander into 'English name' on the panel on the left.

[cilantro is supposed to be from the Spanish 'culantro', but that describes a herb in Mexico (and now in Thailand), the Spanish for coriander is coriandros (what else?)]

haeka, usually take a month or two to mature. Its very easy to grow and if you let it go to seed, the seeds drop and up come new shoots. Ive had continuous coriander now for about 18 months. Very surprisingly too is they grow here in winter through the frosts.

Cheers

Steve

When I grow coriander it goes to flower in a few weeks and there's hardly any green leaves on it, what am I doing wrong?

you are not doing anything invorrectly, jusy using the wrong variety, you need one for leaf rather than seed production.

Lapis, the one I grow from the spice box coriander seeds has smalle leaves, but its flavour is a lot more intense. The shop bought one, which I presume is from proper seeds, it not half as good, though I do use it from time to time. Would you know anything about this?

sounds like different varieties to me. I had assumed for a long time that spice seeds were just that, seeds. I now know there are very many different varieties for different reasons. Coriander seeds one can buy in the UK are of two distinct types (though many varieties, no doubt). There is the larger, oval type, which is the 'Indian' kind, and smaller (usually darker) type, which is generally round and referred to as 'Moroccan'.

One may appreciate that in India, there are more than 30 distinct growing climates, so 'one seed fits all' is unlikely, just like chillies. I have counted 250 - 300 different chilli varieties growing in India, most are hybrids developed for special conditions, to combat drought, wilt and disease.

Thanks Lapis. I have always been told that the seed that is smaller and darker, described as 'not pretty', is betyter for sowing. This is the one I use, with pretty good results; http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamta1/3384079469/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamta1/619853259/

Just as well no one calls chillies by their names in india, it will be hard to remember!

I've found dry chillies are referred to by name on the packet, in India. The ususal culprits are sannam, mundu and byadgi.

If one adds dani (bird'seye)t the list, I think one has a whole range of hotness to choose from (not including nagas, which I don't consider true Indian).

Are you sure that chilli packets are labelled for the Indian market too? Only I haven't seen them with names, ever.

they were in India, in supermarkets!

Well, well, this is good. I must look on next visit there, sometimes during autumn.

if I remember correctly, they were in the Nilgiri chain of supermarkets. Although this suggests a southern regional chain, you go to Lucknow?

No Lapis, I go to a place call Roorkee, very near to Haridwar. I also go to Gurgaon, Noida and perhaps a day in Delhi. I go to Lucknow, but only for a day or two. My food is mostly from Uttarpradesh and other northern states, except for a few universally popular south Indian dishes. I do however have recipes by people from different states of India, including south India.

Just bye a pot from your super-market..let it go to seed, then throw the seeds down on some gravely soil... it will grow and seed, grow and seed, for years.

In previous years I have had the same problem others report of coriander bolting to seed before it produced a worthwhile harvest of leaves.

This year I have had success with a variety called Calypso that was on offer in the garden centre - 99p for a packet of seeds.

It is described as a "cut and come again" variety and I have had loads of leaves from a ten inch pot on the patio this summer. It has gone weeks without any sign of bolting, and has just started to produce the feathery leaves that are normally a warning it is about to go to seed.

It's the first time I've been able to follow a recipe calling for a "handful" of coriander using leaves I have grown myself!

(I don't post here much, but I do come often for recipes - great site)

It is bit late in the year as the summer is almost gone, butif you keep the pot with coriander seeds indoors until it sprouts (which will take about a week)and then shift the seedlings to the well composted soil outdoors....it should grow.

Since coriander grows faster than you can consume them, so plant them in batches i.e. gap of about 2 weeks for the next seeds to go in. At present mine is in the third (and last) batch.

sorry guys ...the above post was in reply of Ateeka which i mistook as a most recent post.

hiya .i have my uiversity project to grow corriander in green house. so plz let me know the how much temperature required? and what the way 2 grow in this febuary? its really work out in this season.. plz let me know ..i m from north east england, sunderland, i m waiting for ur response ....at nice.amen88@hotmail.com

thanks

If you have a greenhouse with temp. control then the seeds should be in the pots by now, make sure that the pots are kept in the G.House for some time to increase its temp. conducive for germination.

Sowing Guidelines...

Approx. germination time: 10 days

Germination temp.: 60 degrees F.

Days to maturity: 90 days

Transplanting Guidelines...

Spacing between plants: 7-10 inches

Spacing between rows: 24 inches

note, does not transplant well. Best to sow thick, then thin as and when.

There are varieties specially selected for either seed or leaf, the latter includes the variety 'cilantro'.

Cilantro can also be referred to as a 'shy' herb, because if you alter the slightest thing around it, it will go to seed. If you want to prevent this, cut out the flower tops and its stem as soon as you see this so the cilantro can focus all of its energy it obtains through photosynthesis solely on its growth.

Hope this helps!

I'm wondering how all the posters having difficulty growing corriander plant their corriander seeds?

Forgive me if I'm stating an already well known fact, but for those who do not know, this is how I grow my corriander, the way my mother taught me and how her family have grown it in her native Kashmir.

First of all the seed should be rolled either with a (gardening)gloved hand or with a rolling pin on a hard surface until the single, round seed splits into two halves. The single, round corriander 'seed' actually contains two, viable seeds. Although you can grow a plant from the single, round seed, I find you have better growth when you split the seed into it's two halves. You can also split the seed by very gently rolling the seeds over a bit of patio, for example, using a flat soled shoe/boot or slipper worn on the hand. You do not need to use too much force as you only want to split the seed not crush it completely!

Then you simply scatter the seed halves over well turned and slightly levelled soil. Give the area a good watering but not too heavy as the seeds will group together if any pools of water form and you'll get patchy growth. You can also water the area thouroughly before sowing the seeds and then just gently pat them into the soil.

Coriander seed does not grow well if the seed is completely covered with soil. It should only be lightly "dusted" with soil once scattered and it even grows if not covered at all, they should be kept slightly moist until they sprout which can take between 2-3 weeks. Depending on how hot it is you should water the seeds lightly twice a week, if we're having a "normal" summer. As it's been pretty wet and cold this year so far you shouldn't have to water them more than once a week if at all. I usually sow my seeds Early May.

I also grow my corriander alongside plants that are delicate and favoured by pests as food. I'm not aware of any insects particulary enjoying or infesting corriander and it seems to protect my lettuce, beans and spinach.

Here I have given ways of growing coriander; How to grow coriander. If you look at point 3, my father also used to split the seeds to get the 'germ' liberated. If kept moist, but not over watered, there should be no problem in growing them.

Now I never knew that... You learn something new every day!! It makes sense though, because when I have grown coriander in the past I have noticed two seedlings from each seed, and I often wondered why that was. Now I know.

Sid

Ah, I see. i'll try that, for my very last attempt at growing this plant, whose leaves and seeds are my favourite herbs and spices.

I'm in Sydney, Australia and have just harvested a lot of seeds from my coriander, which grew to a height of about 2' before floowqering and going to seed.

This is a really informative thread and excellent advice.

Hi guys,

I am trying to grow coriander indoor in late July without any luck :(

Good to know I'm not the only one who has had issues with this.

I have noted Mamta's advice and will try to soak and crack them open before sowing.

Thanks,

Aftab

I buy the coriander growing herbs in pots (90 pence at lidl or tesco).They are basically lots of seeds/young plants all sown close together. When I get them home I carefully divide the seedlings up and plant them outside in a planter in a sunny position. There are probably 50 seedlings in one pot!! I have had some very abundant and healthy corriander all summer...it's mostly now gone to seed and I am about to try and grow some of these seeds indoors right now. There are a few plants still growing green and fresh outside which I planted later on..Its late September!! These growing herbs in supermarkets are available all year...so lets see if I have any success....I'll keep you posted.

I must admit, these pot grown herbs from LIDL/other supermarkets are very useful, they last for a long time on the window sill.

If in a sheltered position, coriander can sometimes lasts well until snow.