Coriander – Grow from seeds

 

 

I love this aromatic herb for many reasons.

It adds flavor to any dishes and packed a punch in health benefits.

Coriander or Cilantro’s health benefits –

Reduce levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing levels of HDL

Lower blood sugar and pressure

improve bowel movement

Rich in vitamin C, K, and protein

Anti-inflammatory benefit

What’s there not to love about this herb?!

 

Our first pot of homegrown coriander from seeds in 2016.

 

 

In southeast Asia, this is a relatively common herb in our markets but there may be parts of the world where it is not so easily found.

Thus, it would be useful to learn how to grow from seeds.

The seeds are round and have a hollow casing.

 

 

Coriander seeds can be found not only in plant nurseries which are more expensive but also in dry goods shelves of supermarkets.

These seeds are used in Mediterranean and Asian kitchens to add flavor to stews and sauces.

 

GERMINATION NOTES

For better germination success, we like to “crack” the seeds before sowing on wet tissues or another medium.

 

 

Or they can also be soaked.

The more viable seeds will sink, used these for sowing.

 

Step 2 – Soil was pre-moist before seeds were sowed.

Usually, it took 7 to 10 days (cracked seeds) to see signs of germination.

For this batch, seeds were sowed on December 8, 2019. Thus only 4 days using strawberries “balancing act” to force germination using heat method.

This method is taught in strawberries workshops only.

 

 

 

TIP – Sow MORE seeds per pot for crowded effect.

Seedlings will support each other to stand upright.

 

 

Tip – Medium need to be moist to support these seedlings

 

 

OBSERVATION – Seedlings cannot tolerate hot sun

Although the seedlings looked leggy, stretching for sunlight, they cannot tolerate much afternoon sun as well.

The morning sun is best for this stage.

We grew them in a modified cup rather than a pot for some support to the weak stems.

 

 

Cilantro or corianders’ in containers have stems that are thinner than supermarkets’ produce but the scent and taste are much better.

The thinner stems may be due to more confined roots space in containers versus grounded plants.

Thus a soil mixture that allows roots to breathe will be better for them.

Coriander can be harvested as microgreens as well.

Seeds to harvest are less than 14 days only.

Just cut above soil level for microgreens. Here is how to grow them this way.

 

 

 

For the more mature harvest of leaves, it can be a cut and grow back plant.

Much care is taken to ensure that the stem is not accidentally snipped during the harvest for leaves to grow back.

However, they are short-lived plants, good for two harvests before we need to sow new seeds.