Coriander - Not Like the Supermarket!

[Garvey]

I have been trying to grow coriander for two seasons now - I love Coriander. Each year the results have been disappointing. The plants are not leafy and bushy - very steamy! There do not really compare to the bushy equivilant I can buy at the suppermarket. I use Suttons seed so that shouldn't be the problem. What can be the problem?

[areia]

the only way i can get mine bushy is by trimming them very early
planting them a little deeper and watering only from the bottom helps me
supermarket ones are force grown and dont last all that long really

[zazen999]

Try growing leaf coriander [rather than non-specific coriander] as the non-specific goes to seed really quickly and is more stemmey!

And chop it back as often as you can - it keeps it bushy.

[Snadger]

......................as the non-specific goes to seed really quickly and is more stemmey!

.

Which is great if you like coriander seeds but not the foliage.........as I do!

[stella]

I find I get better results if I plant more seeds in the pot than I would usually. They seem to like the competion and do better

[Miss Jessop]

Don't be disappointed - as areia says the supermarket herbs are more often than not forced in temperature controlled glasshouses abroad. They are only designed to last a few days.

Coriander can go to seed quickly - within days in very hot weather. Lots of water in the early stages helps to prevent this. Your best bet is to sow every couple of weeks for a regular supply. Because its an annual its life's goal is to flower and set seed before it dies so its always going to be trying to do that

I don't know if it is readily available for retail but try Coriander Santo if you can get it which is a variation which is slower to bolt.

[Rhona]

I struggle with coriander, but i love it so keep trying. My best success was last year with pre-sown mats in an indoor windowsill pot. I grew it alongside greek basil as they seem to favour the same conditions. Still have the basil going (reasonably) strong, but the coriander got wrecked by stupidly putting a neighbour's greenfly infested chili next to it. I'm going to try the same thing this year (minus the greenfly ).

[Garvey]

Thanks for all the brilliant advice. Fingers crossed things improve on the coriander front this sean.

[kentvegplot]

Coriander will bolt in hot weather - so our summer is really difficult for it. I seem to remember one of the celebrity chefs sows a little every few days in a growbag.

I always end up letting it seed, cause I love the seeds for cooking!

[Miss Jessop]

Probably a bit late but I've just found Coriander "Slow Bolt" which it says is a bolt-resistant strain (a bit of a bold statement perhaps!). Supplier is Chiltern Seeds (£1.69).

[Garvey]

Many thanks for the great website tip. Already bought a tonne of seeds! I am weak!

[jimfin]

I'm also tring to grow coriander. I started them off in a heated prop, but as soon as they came up they were very leggy. I was reading a hydroponics mag and they mentioned that the EC level may be too low. I'm not great with sience so how would I lower the PH in soil?

[Capsid]

They are less likely to bolt if you grow them in a shady spot.

[Jillyreeves]

I concur with Capsid, coriander does not like direct sunlight.

This year I am trying Coriander Calypso from T&M, on trial price at 99P, reputed to be cut and come again, for leaf and low growing.

[cupcake]

A herb specialist at the local garden fair recommended dappled shade for growing. Apparently self seeded plants seem to do alot better, but mine bolts as soon as look at it!