Leggy Coriander and other herbs

[Beckyglossop]

Hello, I recently bought a small coriander plant from a farm to repot at home. It has grown but has done so rather leggy and only sprouting a few new leaves at the top of long stems. The new leaves don't look very healthy and are a bit "feathery". The windowsill if very sunny and south facing. Just wondering what I may have done wrong and if there is anything I can do to remedy it? This seems to happen to a lot of my herbs and I'm sick of throwing them away (and having to keep buying herbs from the shop!). They never get to a healthy, bushy stage. Should I repot a bit lower? Or cut off some of the old leaves. Thanks In Advance from a novice grower.

[Scarlet]

A photo would help. Though if you chop off the leggy bits it should send up some new shoots...I'm wondering if the "feathery" bits are that its trying to flower?
Coriander is very easy to start from seed (go on, give it a shot!) sow some in a few little pots or it will grow very well direct in the garden now.

Remember, herbs that you are using to eat often don't look like great specimen plants because you are constantly picking it.
Post some photos if you can though as its easier to see what you mean.

Welcome to the vine Becky, why don't you pop here http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...duce-yourself/ and introduce yourself? Tell us what you are growing, if it's justs in pots on the windowledge or in the garden too

[roitelet]

Coriander is an annual and when it starts to produce feathery leaves it is going to seed. If you grow it from seed with successional showings it should keep you supplied and those that go to seed, save the seed and use that.

What else do you grow that goes leggy?

[Snoop Puss]

Roitelet says it all. Coriander goes to seed very readily. If you use it regularly, successional sowing from seed is the way to go.

[Beckyglossop]

Finally.....Picture of coriander!!

Hello,

Sorry for the delay in uploading this picture. I have a toddler and a full time job (enough said ) Plus I have been struggling with the technology of uploading a picture.

So here is a picture aforementioned plant. I'm not sure how or why it would have gone to seed when it was bought as a strong seedling a few weeks earlier? I don't understand these things!

If possible I would rather save this plant than grow a new one. Is there anything I can do improve it and make it bushier? I am a bit reluctant to pick any leaves at the moment because it seems to have so few but should I ge doing that encourage new growth? Or maybe just be patient? Thanks so much for your advice. Becky.

[vixylix]

its hard to tell from the pics, but if its gone to seed its not much use. Once the seeds are dry though save them and you should still have time to sow them. They don't like the high heat of summer anyway!

[Ryez]

That happens to my shop bought coriander too my understanding is that we are supposed to keep pruning the tops so they throw new growth, but I tend to forget it and they grow very tall and the leaves go feathery, they usually end up in the bin at that point. I now decided to grow it from seed, it took about 2 weeks since I planted them to grow their first true leaves (they look more like coriander ones) so I need to transplant them now. I think after that they should start growing faster, at least my basil and dill are. Parsley seems to be much slower... They are all in the Greenhouse for now, but could do it indoors too, or even outside.

[cilla]

Hi Becky, welcome. Herbs are easy to grow from seed. I started gardening last year and herbs have been more successful from seeds than plugs. I put seeds in a pot and then use a plastic bag (freezer bag) and elastic band to keep it in place. As soon as you see growth take the bag off. More you cut when it has grown the stronger it becomes and lasts longer.

[Chris11]

I think what we're talking about with Coriander is bolting to seed, which I don't think is the same as going leggy.

I love Coriander and Rocket, but both are prone to bolting, especially in the warmer months. Any more tips for how to manage or minimise this bolting?

[roitelet]

Only try to grow them during the cooler months