Want to grow Cilantro...need help!

[marmalady]

Well, the guys beat me to it! Pinch back when the plants have 4-6 leaves, and you see a new shoot, or set of leaves begin to develop. Pinch off that new shoot (yes, I know, it's like killing your babies!) at the top of the plant - the plant, thinking that it can't grow up anymore, will begin to produce more side shoots.

Coriander roots are used in Thai and Malaysian cooking, also.

I always wonder, when I read about coriander 'liking cool weather', how they grow it in Mexico, and in hot Asian climates, like Thailand and India. Too bad we don't have any members from those countries!

Narcotic-------aphrodisiac-------no wonder I love it so much!

Oh, and Isa, there's wooly thyme, mother-of-thyme, creeping thyme, variegated thyme - and more!

[Isa]

I understand the concept of pinching I am, however, still confuse about the where. Do I pinch the leaf?? the branch??


Thanks for your help Marmalady!

[mudbug]

Isa,

"Pinching off" cilantro is much like pinching off parsley. Just a few leaves are at the end of each stem so even if you took the leaves off the end of the stem, that stem would "die off" pretty quickly. So go aheand and take the stem too because this will allow all your plant's "energy" to go to "new growth" instead of feeding a stem with no leaves. Just pinch off as your plant matures and as you need some for cooking.

[Isa]

Thanks for your help Cchiu!


My plants are now seven inches tall. They have four leaves and three stems. Guess it's time to pinch.

[mudbug]

Isa,

No hurry, just use as you need it, as long as you see new shoots coming from the center, you'll continue to have a lasting supply. The plant's goal is always to "bolt" meaning to produce seed. As long as you pinch off as you need it, this prevents the plant from being able to do so and thus prolongs the life of your plant and your enjoyment of the herb.