I can't grown coriander!

[laurad]

I am despairing of ever growing coriander because it always bolts. I've tried different amounts of sun exposure, watering it more - no good . It's not that I'm not picking it soon enough - it's hardly any size at all when it goes. Any ideas? I could just give up and go for the seed instead of course, but we use a lot of fresh coriander in cooking, and it's so expensive!

[paulsherwin]

I've also had trouble with coriander. It's tricky to germinate for a start. Once it germinates it grows in a leggy fashion without many leaves. I've tried it indoors on a windowsill, outside in a greenhouse, and outside in the open air, and the results are very much the same. I'd be grateful for any tips

I find supermarket pots of coriander grow well if repotted and put on a windowsill, but they are prone to becoming infested with greenfly

Paul

[tigerella]

Hi, I always just sow seed in a seed tray every few weeks. Keep the tray in the greenhouse until the first leaves grow. I then harden off for a week or two outside and then carefully transplant little clumps into finely prepared ground or pots.
I transplant them when they are small to avoid the legginess.
I do the same with parsley.
May sound a silly question but are the seeds for leaf or for growing for seed?

[judimac]

Apparently to grow for leaves you are better to provide some shade, I always thought med herb lots of sun, but apparently not. I struggle to stop it bolting, this year I'm growing a type called Chechnya which is supposed to be slow to bolt. I have heard that the best plants come from letting a few go to seed and letting them seed themselves, or using the seeds you buy in asian supermarkets! (they are very cheap in there)

[laurad]

Hi,

I want the leaves rather than the seed. Am going to try the seed tray and transplanting early method, and more shade. Glad it's not just me that has this trouble!

[tigerella]

Good luck, you'll get there!

[itsdanny]

Originally Posted by laurad

I am despairing of ever growing coriander because it always bolts. I've tried different amounts of sun exposure, watering it more - no good . It's not that I'm not picking it soon enough - it's hardly any size at all when it goes. Any ideas? I could just give up and go for the seed instead of course, but we use a lot of fresh coriander in cooking, and it's so expensive!

I get mine from an asian supermarket/corner shop. it's much cheaper than the rip off supermarkets.

[Lady of Shallots]

I found this thread really helpful, thanks, I have also had my coriander bolt almost as soon as I planted it outside! So no good for cooking, but at least it makes the garden smell nice

I'll try the planting from seed every few weeks too. The last one was one of the pots from the supermarket. I love the taste of fresh coriander, mmmm carrot and coriander soup, yum!