herbs

[k.chambers]

Hi all,

Does any one know the time corriander germinates?


Kayleigh.

[Alice]

Hello K, not realy sure about your question. In the spring or early summer, coriander will germinate quite quickly, bit unless I am wrong it will not germinate and grow at this time of year. Even if it germinates there is not enough light for it to grow.. If you are desperate for coriander over the winter,buy a bunch, chop it up, spread it on a tray, put in the freezer til frozen, scrape it all into a freezer box, label and use as required until you can get your own home grown in early summer next year. Good luck.

[k.chambers]

Even if you grow it indoors?

Kayleigh

[Alison]

I've grown corriander at any time indoors - you do however have to be careful where you put it when the weather is cold as the window ledge is too cold and it'll not germanate or survive if it does. No chance outdoors at this time of year though!

[andrewo]

Coriander can be a little blighter, befoire you sow them you can crack them gently by rolling them between two flat stones. They germinate faster. However, they are not native to the UK, so even indoors, start them off in a propagator and outdoors make sure they are in full or partial sun. If they are in full sun though they will quickly bolt.

[Earthbabe]

Hi Kayleigh

I find that in autumn/winter a heated propagator is best. You can get one for about £15 which is basic but provides enough bottom heat for coriander and basil. Coriander can be a bit hit and miss. It doesn't like to be too moist to start with but needs quite a bit of water and partial shade once growing or as andrewo says it will bolt. There are two varieties available commercially, one for producing seed and one for producing leaf. The later is bred not to bolt too quickly. I usually grow mine in multipurpose compost rather than seed compost and don't often use vermiculite or anything like that. If you have the space it may be best to sow in the pot the coriander will grow in as it doesn't like being transplanted. Or handle it very gently, especially the roots.

Good luck

[k.chambers]

My plant finaly germanated. I looked at the propagators in homebase but they were really expencive. But i'm going to look at the smaller garden centers.

Kayleigh.

[Earthbabe]

Homebase generally is expensive kayleigh. I bought mine in a place called "The Range" sort of budget department store that sells bits of everything. Failing that there's always the christmas list

[Alison]

Always worth trying places like Wilkos - there's a lot of tat in there but I got some seed trays in there last year ridiculously cheaply. Another option is the supermarkets although they tend to be a bit seasonal and may only have stuff in during the spring time. Agree though Homebase is a rip off, even on their 10% off days they're more expensive than B&Q.

[pickledtink]

Plenty of good advice there. However if you are going to grow it you'll need to sow a little about every 3-4 weeks to keep a steady supply.

[k.chambers]

Thanks everyone,

I think the christmas list is good. My sister has practicly got a christmas list going from her room all the way down stairs to the kitchen!
I've only got four items so far.

Kayleigh.

[kirsty b]

My plant finaly germanated. I looked at the propagators in homebase but they were really expencive. But i'm going to look at the smaller garden centers.

Kayleigh.

How about wrapping the bottom of the pot in some foil or sitting it on some paper and then popping it on top of a radiator ot somewhere else warm. for a lid you could cut a big pop/squash bottle in half and use it as a mini cloche.
Kirsty

[Earthbabe]

That's a good idea kirstyb.

[JazzDuke]

I started some coriander on my windowsill and cold greenhouse in September, germinated fine but never produced any worthwhile leaf. I'll leave it until spring now. Basil still grows well.

[k.chambers]

I think I'll try your idea kirsty b. At school my science teacher made a rain catcher by cutting the top off a bottle and put it upside down on the bottom half with no lid.

Kayleigh.

P.S that sounds cheaper.