Plant Cilantro: [Cultivation, Care, Land, Irrigation and Pests]

Coriander, like saffron, is one of those aromatic herbs thatenhance the flavor of your meals too much to ignore and not grow in your garden.

Really.Planting coriander is easyand even more if you follow the steps that we indicate.

Read this article (5 minutes maximum). Put it into practice. coriander harvestECOLOGICAL and WITHOUT PESTICIDESfor your kitchen.

Plant Cilantro Step by Step:

1. When? Early spring or winter.
2. Where? Place that receives sun for a good part of the day.
3. How do we prepare the land? Well stirred, with a pH between 6.2 and 8.
4. How do we get the seeds? Certified from a local nursery or specialty store.
5. How do we plant them? Almost superficial, 5 mm deep.
6. What separation do we leave between the seeds? Two or three seeds every 15-20 cm.
7. How do we water? With drip, ideal.
8. How often? Cilantro needs moisture, but without drowning the plant.
9. When do we harvest? When the stems are between 10-15 cm.
10. What pests do you have? White roots, warrior worm, mites.

Coriander is a characteristic herb that has incredible flavor and smell properties for international gastronomy. For many it may be an acquired taste, while for other societies it is an essential seasoning for local gastronomy. And although the saying quotes » coriander is good but not so much» we declare ourselves passionate about this herb and its many uses.

Also known as coriander and Chinese parsley, it had its origins in southeastern Europe and North Africa but its popularity quickly spread throughout the world due to its strong flavor and aromatic power, becoming for example a very typical element of food Latin American natives.

In addition to its infinite gastronomic qualities, it has found a space in beauty and alternative treatments, being used in oils, infusions, tonics and many other products.

There are so many properties and uses that it has had throughout history (from the preservation of meat to creating bases for perfume essences) that it can be said that its name is well deserved, which translates as «plant that does good to man” a very illustrative title.

How to plant coriander?

Having cilantro always available is quite simple. It will make a great addition to your home spice garden and you won’t be disappointed with the immense flavor it will add to your food, so go for it!

Choosing the place for planting coriander

First of all, it is necessary to find a sunny place in the house where it can be planted. Whether it is a portion of the garden that receives sun, or in a pot on your window sill or balcony, any of these alternatives will be valid to plant cilantro, which generally will not be very invasive or take up large portions of space.

Many people even choose to keep it in small glass jars in their kitchen, as long as it receives direct sunlight.

What is the ideal moment?

You must determine the ideal time to sow it, we could say that cilantro does not like too much heat.

So it blooms and dies quickly in summer, so the best option is to choose spring or winter for planting so you can enjoy it a little longer. For tropical climates, coriander prefers cooler and drier times.

What substrate do we use?

For the substrate, you should get a loose and well-drained soil, with a PH between 6.2 and 6.8 where the coriander feels comfortable, although in this sense it is not particularly demanding.

It is not recommended the fertilizer of organic matter little decomposed.

Buy some good coriander seeds

Get yourself some good coriander seeds, ideally you can look for certified ones at a local nursery. Cilantro unfortunately can not be born from the leftovers of your kitchen.

Since coriander grows very fast, it is advisable to have a good supply of seeds, to take advantage of the entire season.

How do we sow the seeds?

Cilantro cultivation is simple.

The seeds are cast almost superficially, ideally about 5 millimeters deep in the ground, if you do not have any risk of birds or vermin, you can place them loose randomly in the chosen pot.

You can choose a pot or container that is at least 18 inches (45 cm) wide and 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) deep.

It is not recommended to transplant cilantro, so the pot has to be big enough to hold the adult plant and stay comfortably in the place where you will receive the sun.

If, on the other hand, you want to plant a lot of coriander in a piece of land, we recommend placing 2 to 3 seeds 15 to 20 centimeters apart, that way you will have a large and well-distributed crop.

If you want to be a little more ecological, it is possible to plant coriander in a plastic bottle (ideally medium) or a can, just open some holes in the base (with a hot knife it can be an easy task), place a few stones and Grit first to further aid drainage and finally add a good layer of substrate, where you will place 1-3 seeds strategically in a suitable spot of sun.

How much water does cilantro need?

Cilantro needs plenty of moisture to germinate, but without drowning the soil. Make sure you water it constantly and that the soil is always moist to the touch, that way you will see rapid and optimal growth.

Trick:If you plant coriander in a pot, bottle or some small container, it is preferable to water it using a sprayer, frequently checking the humidity of the soil and the plant. This will help you keep the watering more controlled.

What do we do when it starts to sprout?

Coriander grows extremely fast, it will not take more than a few days to see it germinate and sprout, when the plants reach 5 cm in height you can use fertilizers to improve their general condition.

It is also advisable to control its growth and start pulling out the weakest leaves and plants to strengthen your plant.

You must take care of the presence of undesirable weeds that choke or affect the growth of your plant, check often for weeds that may be camouflaging.

Soon the cilantro plants will begin to flower, at which point they slow down their growth.

Some people choose to cut the flowers and prolong the life of their plants, but it is advisable to allow them to flower to have seeds that can be used in various kitchen dishes or, failing that, sow them during the following season.

If you don’t collect the seeds, the plants can regenerate by being born in the same place as their predecessor, so it can be an interesting experiment to try all the possibilities.

When the stems are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) tall, they are ready to harvest. Cut 2/3 of the leaves each week, as this encourages the plant to keep growing. In this way, it is possible to harvest up to 4 batches of cilantro from a single pot.

Did you know…If you like butterflies, then you will get an extra incentive by planting coriander, as this is the favorite of these beautiful insects. Plant cilantro and before long you will see these colorful visitors fluttering around your garden.

What pests are common in coriander?

soft roots

It commonly occurs due to the development of a bacterium called Erwinia carotovora that weakens the roots of the plant and makes it unable to stand upright, also hindering its development.

This bacterium is present in the water, so its presence is often contributed to excessive and inadequate watering.

To prevent it, control irrigation by reviewing the state of the soil and the humidity of the environment.

leaf spots

Produced by a bacterium called Pseudonomas syringae, black freckle-like spots can be seen on the leaves. It is also possible to notice yellowish tips and a general decay of the plant.

The ideal in the presence of this bacterium is to discard the damaged stems and look for a natural herbicide that helps fight the plague.

warrior worm

With the scientific name Pseudaletia unipuncta, this coriander lover will not only eat the juiciest leaves and stems, but in many cases will leave eggs on the plant that will later hatch into a true pest.

Ideally, get a more specific worm pesticide and check the plant carefully.

In the event that we want to be successful when it comes to planting coriander, we must be very attentive to this ferocious enemy.

Mites

Although coriander is immune to many types of pests due to its strong odor, certain species of mites can be attracted to them. A broad-spectrum organic pesticide could combat and ultimately solve this problem.

How do we preserve coriander?

If we have made a very large harvest of cilantro, it is likely that we will not use all of it right away. Being a species, its uses in the kitchen will only require small amounts, so it is necessary to define how the unused stems will be preserved, for this we recommend different methods:

• Keeping the cilantro stems in a stem of water, away from cooking steam, will extend their shelf life, and if possible, you can place the jar inside the fridge for better preservation.
• Preparation in sauces: for example, look for a good recipe for coriander pesto or coriander hummus, whose lifespan is longer than that of the plant alone and can be spectacular gifts for anyone.
• Freeze – It is possible to freeze cilantro and still keep much of its properties. To do this, you should find a ziplock bag or one that is as hermetic as possible and store the cut, washed and dried stems in it. Put it in the refrigerator and thaw when needed. You will be surprised to see how well preserved its taste and smell are.
• Preserving dressings in oil: You can make a mincemeat of your most used dressings (garlic, onion, oil, paprika and coriander for example) and place it in jars of oil where its shelf life and humidity are maintained. You can also make a pickles alternative in recipes.
• In infusions and beauty waters: remember that you can boil the leaves and preserve the water with the many health benefits it brings. Nothing is wasted!

Good and Bad Associations

Cilantro goes well with just about anything.

Ancient benefits of coriander

Naturopathic medicine that for so many centuries contributed to the development of modern medicine is returning to our homes, and with it the rescue of hundreds of foods, herbs and plants with properties for our health.

Such is the case of coriander, which in ancient times was even used as a natural antidote to certain not-so-lethal poisons.

It is even considered to have the ability to clean water and soil of certain types of pollutants and heavy metals. Incredible! But the benefits for its consumption are even more surprising:

• It has a high nutritional value: This herb contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and C; it is low in calories. In addition, it is rich in essential oils that contain: decanal, dodecanal, decane, hulene, cerophyllene, linanol, tannins, malic acid, all of which help regulate and improve body functions and improve our general state of health.
• Ally in the fight against cholesterol: One way to lower high cholesterol levels that is highly recommended by some grandmothers is to drink constant infusions of coriander, which, by releasing certain oils, helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood. and buildup on the inner walls of the arteries.
• Helps in the treatment of diabetes: It is also estimated that the consumption of coriander helps control blood glucose levels and even improves insulin sensitivity levels.
• Natural anti-inflammatory: In the case of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and joint inflammation, coriander can become a great friend, in many cases coriander seed oil is prescribed to combat inflammation and pain in these cases.
• Fights bacteria: a natural bactericide that can be used topically, as an infusion or by making a juice with plants, to treat wounds or dermatological conditions.
• Beauty ally: in addition to improving the health of hair, skin and contributing to weight loss, coriander also attacks the bacteria that control bad breath, so we could conclude that coriander can be the guarantee of success that everyone needs for a first date.
• Natural aphrodisiac: Going back to the power of love that hides the consumption of coriander, it can be a powerful aphrodisiac if it is regularly included in your diet. What more can you ask for?

Chinese medicine has used coriander for the control and treatment of multiple ailments for centuries, which is why we don’t need to check its benefits much more, don’t wait any longer and go ahead and have it at home! You will be surprised how easy it will be to always have it at your fingertips.

We know you will enjoy fresh cilantro and its benefits in all its forms, so don’t miss out on starting your spice garden with these vibrant leaves and please don’t confuse it with parsley in your recipes! To enjoy.