Coriander is also called Dhania in India and Cilantro in some countries. It has a pungent and slight citrous taste to its leaves which adds to our taste buds. Coriander like some other vegetables discussed in the earlier blog are easy to grow. You can grow them in the garden as well as in the containers. Most of us like the flavor of coriander leaves though I know some persons who finds it very unpalatable. I know many of us might still find it harder to grow coriander in their garden. So let us discuss some of the facts regarding coriander and its cultivation which will definitely increase your success rate.
Coriander is ideal for the hot and humid climate. The best way to grow coriander is from the seeds. It generally does not go well with transplanting. So in case you are growing them in a container it is advisable to use a bigger container so you can grow many plants in a single container. Though almost all the varieties will produce leaves and seeds, it is better to look for slow bolting varieties so you can enjoy the leaves for a longer period of time.
The seeds which we are continuously referring to are not actually seeds in technical terms rather these are the fruits of the plant. You can either sow it as a whole or you can split them and sow it separately. In normal condition the germination rate of coriander is close to 50%. To in case the germination rate, split the seed and soak in water for 3 days and then sow it into the soil.
Put the seed into a healthy potting mix or well drained soil. To make the soil ready you can add manure or compost to the soil.
Seeds will germinate with 5-7 days. Once they have reached a height of 2 cm put the pot into the sun for further growth of the plant. It is one of the requirement to put them under direct sunlight. But you need to provide some cover from time to time otherwise the plant will bolt very quickly. Within 10 to 15 days these are ready to use. A fully grown coriander plant can grow up to 40 to 50 cm in height with a spread of 15 cm.
Due to its pungent smell they do not get affected by many pests. They are very fast growing. Younger leaves are of with best of flavors. You can pick the leaves as you need from the plants. You can cut the seeds from the plants when they turned grey from green. Apart from the roots you can use every part of the coriander.
Are you still buying coriander from the market and getting disappointed with the look of them? Don’t waste your money any more. Now the time has come to grow your own coriander in your house. Growing coriander will definitely add some exotic touch to your garden as well as to the dinner table.
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