Cilantro (Coriander)

Growing & Maintenance Tips for Coriandrum sativum

Due to quick bolting, stagger plantings for a steady crop. Continual pruning prevents flavor-altering flowers. Loves full sun but will tolerate part shade. Water regularly, during the season, but be careful not to over-water, especially in cooler weather. Fertilize with a balanced all-purpose food, and avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which will speed up the bolting.

Cultivation and Propagation: Cilantro can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Do not crowd the plants. It self-seeds readily. In companion planting, it enhances the growth of anise. It is not difficult to grow from seed, but it is best to plant it where you wish it to stay as it hates to be transplanted. Do not over-fertilize as too much nitrogen takes away the flavor.

Pests: It can suffer from wilt and mildew. Acid soil, a pH of 6.6, helps prevent wilt which is recognized by browning of the leaves and thinning of the vascular system, causing very weak stems. Remove plants and burn them. Growing on the dry side helps alleviate the problem of mildew or spray mildewed plants with ¼ tsp baking soda to a quart of water.