Cilantro is an easy-to-care crop that does not require special conditions when planting. Almost all of its varieties feel great in open ground. But many cilantro lovers also grow it at home. Both the green parts and seeds of the plant are edible. And depending on which of these is preferable when obtaining a crop, you need to take into account certain features when growing the crop.
This crop is annual. It is called cilantro when it is grown for its greens. If grown for seeds, another name is used - coriander. Many people simply do not know that cilantro and coriander are the same plant.
This herbaceous plant with beautiful openwork leaves (similar to parsley leaves) looks very attractive both in open ground in the garden and in the house, as you can see when viewing the corresponding photos. Cilantro has a strong spicy taste and a very unusual aroma that many people do not like. But with regular use, the plants quickly get used to the original smell.
Cilantro leaves and seeds The culture is unpretentious in growth and does not require too much attention or any special conditions for planting or care. Its propagation can also occur by self-sowing, when some of the seedlings with ripened seeds were left in the fall. There are many varieties of this crop. They are all very similar in appearance. This is easy to verify by looking at photos of different varieties.
Depending on whether the crop is grown to produce greens or for seeds, the most suitable variety is selected, taking into account the ripening time. There are early, mid-season and late varieties. And the most popular among gardeners for growing in open ground include the following:
- King of the Market – early, with a large volume of juicy greens;
- Amber – densely leafy, with delicate greenery and fragrant seeds;
- Alekseevsky - medium ripening and late flowering, resistant to low temperatures;
- Borodino - mid-season, the taste of the greens is mild, the plant is tall but compact;
- Venus - refers more to salad varieties;
- Taiga is late-ripening, resistant to flowering, densely leafy.
Planting a plant
To get an excellent harvest, choose well-lit or slightly shaded places for planting cilantro. Under the shade of trees, plants will not develop well. They will begin to reach for the light and become weak. It grows better on flat or elevated areas without close proximity to groundwater, which must be taken into account when planning planting crops in the spring in the garden.
Attention! Planting cilantro in low places where water stagnation is possible is undesirable, since the plants may die even before ripening from excess moisture.
The soil for planting the crop should be light, loose and fertile. Neutral soils are preferable. It is better to apply fertilizers to the bed planned for growing cilantro in the fall. And immediately before planting, the area is also fertilized, and it is also well dug and moistened. Plants are planted with dry seeds in open ground to a depth of about 1.5 cm. This is done around mid-April, when the soil has completely thawed and warmed up sufficiently.
cilantro sprouts Sowing can be carried out according to different schemes:
- in rows - to facilitate plant care, it is necessary to maintain a distance between rows of at least 15 cm;
- in the holes - plant 2-3 seeds in each with a distance between them of 10-15 cm;
- scattered - using this method, the seeds are scattered around the garden bed in a random order, but without excessive thickening.
You can sow cilantro in open ground throughout the entire season, which is what many gardeners do in their dachas and garden plots. This approach allows you to provide yourself with fresh aromatic herbs all summer and autumn before the onset of cold weather.
Advice. To ensure that cilantro grows its green mass well and does not bloom too early, you should avoid sowing the crop very densely. This will make it easier for the gardener to care for it later.
Cultivation care
Cilantro is easy to grow and does not require any special manipulations when caring. It consists of:
- removal of weeds;
- loosening the soil around the seedlings;
- regular watering;
- thinning (if necessary).
Fertilizers should be applied only in the fall or spring immediately before planting the crop. In further care, fertilizing is not required. But you especially need to pay attention to watering the plants. They must receive enough moisture necessary for their normal growth. Watering cilantro in small quantities leads to a deterioration in the quality of the greens. It becomes dry and hard. Mulching can be done to retain moisture. But an excess of water also has an adverse effect on the culture. In addition, you need to water coriander less often during the ripening period of seeds, which will later be used for food or for plant propagation.
Greens do not need to be fed Fertilizer and feeding of cilantro (coriander)
The culture prefers humus-rich soils. But fertilizing during the growth of cilantro is not recommended, as this contributes to the accumulation of certain substances in the greenery that are harmful to humans. Manure or humus must be applied to the ground immediately at the stage of preparing beds for planting crops. The addition of wood ash also has a beneficial effect on plants. You can also add fertilizers that contain phosphorus or potassium.
Plant propagation
This crop is propagated by seeds. They must be fully ripe. This is determined by the color of the fruit. When they turn brown, are easily removed from the plant by hand, or begin to fall off, the seeds are ripe and ready to be collected. Reproduction of coriander can also occur as a result of self-sowing, when some of the seeds are missed during collection and then fall to the ground. Having overwintered quite safely under the snow, they usually emerge quite amicably in the spring.
What diseases and pests does this plant have?
Plants can be affected by diseases such as powdery mildew and ramularia. Among the pests that attack this crop are the coriander seed eater, bedbugs (various types), umbrella moths, as well as the winter cutworm, which gnaws the plant stem, and the wireworm, which damages the root system.
Combination of cilantro (coriander) with other plants
The culture goes well with almost any plant. It is especially good to plant it in combination with other herbs, such as anise or caraway. The combination with this plant does not have a very good effect only on fennel. Coriander depresses him. The best predecessors for cilantro can be called perennial grasses, winter crops, and row crops.
Cilantro (coriander) is an unpretentious crop in terms of growing conditions. By sowing it on your plot, you can not only provide yourself with fresh herbs with a spicy taste throughout the warm season, but also prepare aromatic seeds to later use in baking and for preparing a variety of dishes.
Coriander (cilantro) is a very popular herbaceous plant among gardeners. They practice growing cilantro for early greenery, sowing seeds before winter. The crop is cold-resistant, so there are no problems with light spring cold snaps; the seeds overwinter well in the soil. Knowledge of the rules of agricultural technology will help to grow a good harvest of greens (cilantro) and seeds (coriander).
Preparatory work begins two weeks before planting. They determine the location, analyze the composition of the soil, remove roots and all plant debris. If the predecessor crop suffered from fungal diseases, treat the soil with a fungicide.
Priming
During the pre-sowing tillage period, it is worth analyzing its mechanical composition and acidity level. Coriander develops and ripens normally, giving a good harvest, on light, loose soil.
Light loams and sandy loams are ideal. The structure of heavy soils needs to be worked on when preparing beds for planting. Add sand, peat, compost. The proportions and type of additive depend on the quality of the soil in the garden. Depleted soil is enriched:
- organic matter (0.5 buckets per 1 m²);
- superphosphate (1 tsp);
- potassium nitrate (1 tsp).
The acidity level of coriander is important. It grows well if the soil is neutral or moderately acidic.
Illumination of the area
Lighting directly affects the content of essential oils in fruits. Coriander is a crop that needs light for full development. When planting in the shade:
- fruits ripen slowly;
- the harvest is small;
- the percentage of essential oil in the seeds is low.
A sunny area is a prerequisite for obtaining a good harvest. Lowlands are not suitable for planting, especially when sowing seeds before winter. Before they have time to rise, they will get wet. It is preferable to cultivate the crop on flat and elevated surfaces.
Predecessors
Any garden crop to which organic matter has been added will be a good predecessor to coriander. The spice feels great after cucumbers, all types of legumes, cabbage and potatoes. The aromatic herb goes well with spicy herbs (cumin, anise) and has a good effect on the growth of vegetables (cucumbers, zucchini, cauliflower).
Coriander varieties
Massive cultivation of coriander is carried out in the North Caucasus, Ukraine and the southern regions of the Russian Federation. Amateur gardeners plant cilantro everywhere; its fragrant greens can be found among summer residents of Yakutia. When choosing a variety, you need to carefully read the description.
Vegetable varieties are used for greens; they bloom late. Early ripening varieties that quickly enter the flowering period are sown for harvesting seeds and preparing essential oil.
Popular vegetable varieties of cilantro
Vegetable varieties include varieties of coriander in which flowers form later, this allows you to get more greenery for cutting. The following varieties are considered popular among summer residents:
- Amber;
- Borodinsky;
- Taiga.
Amber is good for its late bolting and early abundant greenery. Cutting can be done a month after germination. Borodinsky coriander delights summer residents with its juicy, aromatic leaves. It can be used for greens after 1-1.5 months, and seed ripening occurs after 90 days.
Taiga is a very popular variety with a late ripening period. Like cilantro, you can use it after 1-1.5 months. The leaves are brightly colored, thick, fragrant. They serve as an excellent addition to various dishes.
Varieties of obtaining coriander
To obtain coriander seeds, you can sow any variety. When planted in autumn, seedlings appear early, and the fruits ripen successfully in all weather conditions. To obtain spices early, you can sow the early ripening Debut variety, its characteristics:
- ripens in 1.5 months;
- rosette height 29 cm;
- socket weight 25 g.
The good thing about this variety is that in a short time you can get greens for meat and fish dishes, as well as spicy seeds for adding them to sauces, baked goods, and marinades.
It is worth paying attention to the mid-season variety Stimul. It can be sown before winter or early spring. It forms well-leafed rosettes weighing up to 45 g. The ripened fruits make an excellent seasoning. Stimul is also suitable for harvesting greenery; it can be sown every 2 weeks until July 15 and cut after 1-1.5 months.
Sowing cilantro seeds in open ground
Growing a good harvest from quality cilantro seeds is not difficult. This culture does not require complex technologies. Most gardeners practice planting with dry seeds (before winter, early spring) or treated with growth stimulants (spring, summer).
To obtain early production, they are propagated by seedlings. Sowing of seedlings is done in February, using separate cups and boxes for seedlings. The soil is taken from the garden. Grown rosettes are planted in open ground when frosts have passed and the soil has warmed up. If there is a threat of return frosts, the seedlings are covered with covering material at night.
Coriander planting dates
When choosing a variety, you need to pay attention to the characteristics and ripening period. You can grow coriander for an early harvest by sowing early-ripening varieties; their seeds ripen in 30 days. Harvesting of mid-ripening varieties begins after 35-40 days, late-ripening varieties - after 45-50 days.
Planting dates depend on the variety and weather conditions. You can sow in open ground before winter and from April to July. If the main purpose of planting is to obtain greenery, then from April to mid-July cilantro is sown every 2 weeks.
How to collect seeds
The seeds begin to ripen at the end of August. The harvesting period lasts until mid-September. If you do not remove all the plants, then next year the seeds that fell into the ground will germinate. This must be taken into account when harvesting. Coriander is a cold-resistant crop and reproduces by self-sowing even in Siberia.
The readiness of seeds for harvesting is determined by their color. You can start harvesting when 60% of all fruits acquire a brown-brown color. In the morning or evening, the bushes need to be cut at ground level, collected in bunches and dried in a suspended state in the shade (attic, barn, shed). You can thresh the seeds after 7-10 days and use them in cooking or for autumn-spring planting.
Pre-sowing seed preparation
For planting, use ripened seeds that have not expired. Germination persists for 2 years. Sowing is carried out with dry seeds; they do not require additional processing. All pre-sowing treatment comes down to visual inspection and rejection of unripe seeds; they can be easily distinguished by their smell, which resembles the smell of bedbugs.
When to sow coriander
In greenhouses, the first sowing is carried out in February or March, the exact period depends on the soil and air temperature. You can expect the appearance of flower stalks on the 40th day after the sprouts appear. With later sowing (May, June), flowering occurs earlier.
For sowing crops from seeds, the ideal time for planting in open ground is early spring or autumn. With late sowing, the number of seeds decreases and the volume of greenery increases. Cilantro is a plant with long daylight hours, and when daylight hours decrease (July-September), plant growth slows down and the number of shoots decreases.
How to sow cilantro in open ground
- into the furrows;
- scattered;
- into the hole.
When planting in rows, maintain an interval of 15 cm between lines. When planting scattered, 2.5 g of seeds are randomly scattered over 1 m². The holes are formed, observing a step of 10-15 cm, 3 seeds are placed in each. The soil must be moist before sowing.
Features of planting before winter
The timing of planting cilantro before winter depends on the region, usually it coincides with the end of Indian summer. Warming may cause seeds to germinate, which is not desirable. In autumn, the usual planting methods are used, the same as in spring and summer. The main difference is dry soil. The furrows are not watered before planting.
Care
Care when growing for seeds and greens is the same: removing weeds, loosening the rows, watering and periodic thinning. Planting in rows with optimal row spacing makes maintenance easier. At the same time, you can remove weeds and loosen the soil using garden tools (flat cutter, ripper).
Thinning the sprouts
As seedlings appear, it is necessary to monitor their density. Without thinning, if planted tightly, the plants will be weak with few leaves and seeds. Thinning of crops is carried out periodically, maintaining an interval between seedlings of 6-9 cm.
Features of watering
Soil moisture affects product quality. A common reason for early bolting of coriander is a prolonged lack of moisture in the soil. Moist and loose soil is the main condition for growing lush greens. During rains, watering is stopped as there is enough natural moisture in the soil.
Rules for feeding coriander in the garden
When growing coriander, all fertilizers are applied before planting. When planting before winter, humus and mineral fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil before digging. In the spring, before germination, the soil can be watered with a liquid urea solution of a standard concentration of 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket. On well-fertilized soil, coriander grows without additional fertilizing.
Diseases and pests
There are not many diseases that affect cilantro plantings, but during periods of prolonged rains and frequent dew in the morning, you can be left without a harvest. The cause may be ramulariasis of coriander. Pathogens can infect the plant throughout the entire growing season.
The first signs of ramulariasis appear on the leaves (brown spots).
Further development of the disease is accompanied by damage to the entire above-ground part: stems, umbels, buds, flowers, fruits. If the period of illness coincides with the flowering of coriander, then up to 80% of the harvest is lost. Before the formation of stems and the appearance of buds, plantings can be treated with fungicides. During flowering, all treatments are stopped, since the plant is a good honey plant.
With increased soil and air humidity, cilantro can be affected by powdery mildew. The fungus affects the above-ground part. When the first symptoms (white plaque) appear, you can use the traditional method - treat the plants with a soap-soda solution. When using chemicals, greens should not be eaten while the effect of the drug lasts. Pests to watch out for:
- bedbugs;
- seed eaters;
- winter cutworm;
- umbrella moth;
- wireworm.
Harvesting cilantro
Cilantro is grown for fresh consumption, drying, and freezing. It is necessary to sow the seeds several times during the summer in order to get 2 or more crops from one plot. The greens grow quickly and are suitable for eating and harvesting before flowering. To harvest greenery, use a sharp garden knife, cutting it 2-3 cm from the ground.
Important! In order for the plant to produce new greenery, you need to cut off the upper leaves, leaving the entire lower part of the coriander intact.
Dry the herbs in the shade. Store in crushed form. Use hermetically sealed containers. Dry cilantro retains its beneficial properties and essential oils for no more than a year. Frozen greens last longer (2 years). Before freezing, it is washed, dried, crushed and scattered into containers.
The cilantro (coriander) harvest will be excellent if all recommendations for choosing a planting site, soil preparation and care are followed. There will be fresh, aromatic herbs on the table all summer long for fish, meat and other dishes, and from August to September you can collect coriander seeds.
Cilantro (coriander) is an annual herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. Cilantro is usually called the green part of the plant, and the seeds are called coriander.
Cilantro is very popular. This spicy herb becomes an addition to many dishes and sauces, adding a special piquancy to the taste. Cilantro is used in fresh and dried form. The high content of essential oils gives it an amazing bouquet of aroma. The seeds are also used in cooking.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, coriander has been grown for more than 5,000 years and is believed to promote longevity. Thanks to the spread of Korean cuisine, coriander has become popular in our regions.
Useful properties and harm of cilantro
Cilantro contains a large amount of essential oils and useful elements (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, vitamins A, E, K, B, PP). Eating fresh cilantro increases appetite and promotes accelerated breakdown of even heavy foods. Leaves and seeds improve brain and heart activity and are useful for hysteria and depression.
Women should be careful with cilantro: consuming large quantities can lead to disruption of the menstrual regime. Pregnant women should absolutely not eat greens or coriander, as this can cause miscarriage or premature birth.
Preparing a site for planting cilantro and coriander
Priming
- For cilantro, light loamy or sandy loam soils are preferred.
- The soil must be fertilized: per 1 m², add 2 kg of humus or 30 g of mineral fertilizers for digging.
Illumination of the area
Cilantro grows best in areas well lit by the sun. Slight shading is possible: plant along the fence, near bushes, but not in the shade of trees. Then the sprouts will be stunted and quickly overgrow with flower stalks, which will negatively affect the greenery.
The bed should be on a level area. In the lowlands, cilantro develops slowly and may die from waterlogging.
Predecessors
Good predecessors for the crop will be legumes, cucumbers, cabbage, and potatoes.
Sowing cilantro seeds in open ground
Cilantro is propagated by seeds. Seed material can be purchased at a specialized store or collected independently.
How to collect seeds?
Seed maturity is determined by the condition of the fruit:
- When the seeds turn brown, they are easily removed by hand, and even more so when they begin to crumble, they are ready for collection.
- Seed germination lasts no more than 2 years.
Coriander self-sows successfully. The fallen seeds overwinter safely under the snow and provide fairly friendly entrances in the spring.
Pre-sowing seed preparation
For quick germination, soak the seeds in a growth stimulant solution before sowing. Instead of a special preparation, you can use aloe juice.
When to sow cilantro?
In spring and summer: cilantro is planted in open ground starting from the 20th of April until the end of the month. When sown in May-June, flower stalks appear in about 20 days. You can sow in greenhouses in late February-early May: flower stalks will appear on the 40th day.
Cilantro is a long-day crop. As it decreases, the growth rate slows down.
June is ideal for collecting coriander (seeds) - sow in early spring. From July to early September, the throwing of arrows is minimal, and the greenery develops most vigorously. To obtain greens, flower stalks should be removed early on.
in autumn: Pre-winter sowing of cilantro is carried out in mid-late October, when the Indian summer has already passed and no warming is expected. During the winter, the seeds will undergo natural stratification and sprout early with the advent of the first warmth.
How to sow cilantro in open ground
- For 1 m² you will need about 2.5 g of seeds.
- Seal them to a depth of 1.5-2 cm.
- The seedlings are thinned out several times.
- As a result, keep a distance of 10-13 cm between individual plants, and 15-30 cm between rows.
The period of emergence of seedlings is 2-4 weeks, depending on weather conditions.
To regularly obtain greens throughout the warm season, you can do it at intervals of 1-2 weeks. After 40-55 days they are ready for cutting: several crops can be grown in one area. When re-sowing, add 1 tsp per 1 m². nitroammophoska or superphosphate.
How to care for cilantro in open ground
The seedlings need careful care. Promptly remove weeds that are destructive to immature plants. Thin out the garden bed, removing weak plants - they can be eaten.
When the height reaches 5 cm, feed the cilantro with nitrogen fertilizer. After this, mulch the soil - this helps maintain moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds.
Watering
To obtain juicy greens, you need to consume cilantro regularly. Due to lack of moisture, the leaf rosette does not form well, and the cilantro begins to shoot out arrows. For seedlings, 3-4 liters of water per 1 m² is enough; during the period of active growth, add about 8 liters of water to the same unit of area.
Pruning flower stalks
When growing for greenery, you should regularly pick off the established flower stalks. Early flowering is beneficial if the goal is to obtain seeds.
Diseases and pests
Ramularia and powdery mildew are possible diseases of cilantro. To prevent this from happening, you should follow the planting technique and avoid overmoistening. Remove the affected areas and treat with a fungicide (in this case, the greens cannot be cut for the entire duration of the drug).
Pests: various types of bugs, seed beetle, fall armyworm, umbrella moth, wireworm. Insecticide treatment is required.
How to sow cilantro on a windowsill, watch the video:
Since cilantro is a fast-growing plant, it is very easy to grow on a windowsill in winter. It is easy to sow it in a seedling box, and the care requirements are simple: room temperature, moderate soil moisture and long daylight hours with bright lighting. On short winter days, additional illumination with phytolamps will be required.
Harvesting cilantro
Cilantro greens should be harvested before flowering, as their taste deteriorates later. It is important not to miss this moment. It is best to cut greenery to a height of 10-12 cm. Do this in the morning or in cloudy weather. Collect the cut branches into bunches and hang them to dry in a draft. Subsequently, grind and store in an airtight container.
The seeds are collected when they have turned brown. Sift them through a large mesh sieve to remove the husks. Store in a dry, dark place.
Varieties of cilantro or coriander
When choosing a variety, you must be guided by the ultimate goal. Vegetable varieties are preferred for harvesting greens - they have more delicate leaves that are highly aromatic. To obtain coriander, choose varieties that produce the largest, highest-quality seeds.
Popular vegetable varieties of cilantro:
Cilantro avant-garde photo
Avangard is a compact, densely leafy bush, the greens have a thick spicy aroma and can be grown indoors. The first cutting can be done after 45 days of growth.
Caribe is a late flowering variety. The leaves are strongly dissected, have a delicate taste, and an intense aroma.
King of the Market - the variety ripens early. The amount of green mass is significant, the leaves are juicy, the taste is delicate.
Borodinsky is a compact bush up to 70 cm high with an average ripening period. The greens have a mild taste and are good for salads. It is grown only in open ground. Harvesting can begin after 35 days of growth.
Taiga is a low bush with dense greenery. The variety ripens late: more than 45 days.
Picnic is an early ripening variety. The leaves are serrated, the taste is mild, the aroma is rich. Suitable for growing on a windowsill.
Varieties most suitable for coriander production:
Amber is a well-leafed bush, the taste of greenery is delicate. Shooting later. The aroma of the seeds is spicy and intense. They are added to marinades, sausages, and baked goods.
Venus - dense greens are good in salads, the seeds have a mild spicy aroma.
Alekseevsky is a medium-ripening variety. Flowering is late, but the plant is resistant to cold weather.
Choose a time of year. The best time to plant coriander depends on where you live. Coriander will not survive in frosty conditions, but it also does not tolerate heat. In temperate climate zones, it is best to plant coriander in late spring, in late March or early May. In tropical climates, coriander grows best during cool, dry periods of the year, such as fall.
- If the weather starts to get too hot, the coriander will start to bloom, so choose the right time wisely.
Prepare an area for coriander. Choose an area of the garden where the coriander will receive plenty of sunlight. In the southern part of the garden, where the sun warms up quite well during the day, a little shade will not hurt. The soil should be dug up and well drained, with a pH level of 6.2 to 6.8.
- If you want to till the soil before planting, take a shovel or rototiller and work the topsoil with five to seven inches of organic mulch, such as compost, rotten leaves or manure. Before planting, level the ground with a rake.
Plant coriander seeds. Sow the seeds in a row about a centimeter deep, with a distance of 10 to 15 centimeters between seeds. The distance between the rows should be about 30 centimeters. Coriander needs moisture to germinate, so be sure to water it regularly. It should germinate in about two to three weeks.
- Since coriander grows so quickly, you should plant a new batch of seeds every two to three weeks to stock up on fresh coriander for the entire season.
Take care of your coriander. Once the seedlings are about five centimeters tall, you can fertilize them with a water-soluble nitrogen fertilizer. Don't overdo it with fertilizer; you only need a quarter cup for every seven meters of planting.
Don't let the coriander grow overgrown. Stop it by replanting the seedlings when they reach a height of five to seven centimeters. Pull out smaller seedlings and leave only the strongest ones, allowing them to grow 15-20 centimeters apart. Smaller seedlings can be used in cooking.
- You can also prevent weeds from growing by spreading a little mulch around the base of the plant as they begin to emerge from the ground.
Harvest your coriander harvest. Harvest it by cutting individual leaves and stems from the base of the plant, near ground level, when the stems are 10 to 12 centimeters tall. When cooking, use fresh coriander shoots rather than old ones, as they may taste bitter.
- Do not cut off more than a third of the plant's leaves at a time, as this may weaken it.
- After trimming the leaves, the plant will continue to grow for at least two to three more cycles.
