When to Plant Cilantro? A Detailed Guide to Planting Time and Methods

SummaryTime: It can be planted in the open field in all four seasons; it is recommended to choose small-leaf and heat-tolerant varieties. Open-field cultivation: Do not water too much during the seedling stage; when the seedlings grow to 10 cm, water frequently to keep the soil surface moist, apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer 1 to 2 times, remove weeds when thinning, provide appropriate shading in summer, and drain promptly after rain. Greenhouse cultivation: Irrigate once with frozen water before winter, cover the greenhouse in January, no ventilation is needed in January and February; when the seedlings turn green, carry out intertillage, loosening of the soil, and weeding, and apply topdressing during the vigorous growth period.

Cilantro is a vegetable introduced into China from abroad. It has been cultivated in China for a very long time, and it is now very widely distributed across the country. Cilantro is also consumed at a very high rate in China and is very popular among people. Therefore, many people want to grow it. But before planting, it is still necessary to first understand its cultivation techniques and timing.

Cilantro Planting Time and Methods

Time: The main method of growing cilantro is open-field cultivation, and it can be planted in all four seasons. First choose a good variety; it is best to choose a relatively heat-tolerant variety, because most regions of China are relatively hot.

Methods:

1. Variety selection. Coriander has large-leaf varieties and small-leaf varieties. Large-leaf varieties have taller plants, larger leaves, fewer and shallower notches, a milder fragrance, and higher yield; small-leaf varieties have shorter plants, smaller leaves, deeper notches, a stronger fragrance, cold resistance, and strong adaptability, but slightly lower yield. Generally, small-leaf varieties are mostly chosen for cultivation.

2. Open-field cultivation. Coriander can be cultivated in the open field in spring, autumn, and winter. Do not water too much during the seedling stage. When the seedlings grow to 10 cm, the plants grow vigorously, so they should be watered frequently to keep the soil surface moist. While watering, apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer 1 to 2 times. Pay attention to intertillage and appropriate thinning, and remove weeds when thinning. In summer, appropriate shading is needed, and protection against heavy rain scouring is necessary; drain promptly after rain to ensure uniform emergence.

3. Greenhouse cultivation. Irrigate once with frozen water before winter to help the seedlings overwinter. Cover the greenhouse in January; no ventilation is needed from January to February. When the seedlings turn green, carry out intertillage, loosening of the soil, and weeding. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, the plants enter the vigorous growth period, and the greenhouse should be kept at 15°C to 25°C. Apply about 15 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu each time, topdressing 1 to 2 times, which can advance the harvest.

Cilantro Growth Habits

1. Temperature: It prefers cool conditions and is not heat-tolerant. The optimum temperature is 15-20°C. Cilantro can tolerate low temperatures of -1°C to 2°C, and grows slowly above 30°C.

2. Light: It prefers light and can be grown on east-, west-, and south-facing balconies, terraces, and rooftops. If the sunlight is too strong, appropriate shading is needed.

3. Humidity: Do not water too much during the seedling stage. If the amount of watering is too large, root diseases are very likely to occur. When the seedlings grow to 10 cm, the plants grow vigorously, so water frequently in small amounts to keep the soil surface moist.

Cilantro Fertilizer and Water Techniques

1. Temperature and fertilization: Cilantro grows fastest when the outside temperature is between 15 and 20°C. If planting in summer, attention should be paid to cooling. For topdressing, it is best not to apply topdressing; if the base fertilizer is insufficient, foliar topdressing can be carried out about 10 days before harvest. Spray urea at a concentration of 1.5%, and it can be sprayed 2 times. Also spray decomposed organic fertilizer once every half month. If you want to save seeds yourself, you need to appropriately increase some phosphorus fertilizer.

2. Key watering points: Generally do not water before seedling establishment, so as to control the top and promote the bottom, and to strengthen the roots by restraining growth. After seedling establishment, water once promptly to stabilize the seedlings, in an amount that does not submerge the seedlings. As the seedlings grow vigorously, the water requirement gradually increases, and the watering interval gradually shortens. Basically, shallow watering is done 5—7 times throughout the whole growth period. For the first three waterings, water once about every 10 days; from the fourth watering onward, every 6—7 days. Keep the soil moist regularly, and control shallow watering before harvest.

Cilantro Pest and Disease Control Methods

1. Chemical control of leaf spot disease. In the early stage of the disease, spray with 75% chlorothalonil or 50% dimethomorph wettable powder at 1000 times dilution, once every 7 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays, and stop using the pesticide 7 days before harvest.

2. Chemical control of soft rot. In the early stage of the disease, spray with 72% agricultural streptomycin soluble powder or 3000 times dilution of new phytomycin, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays, and stop using the pesticide 3 days before harvest.

3. Chemical control of sclerotinia disease. In the early stage of the disease, spray with 50% procymidone or iprodione or 50% vinclozolin wettable powder at 1000 times dilution, once every 7 days, for 3 to 4 consecutive sprays. In greenhouses, 15% procymidone smoke agent or 45% chlorothalonil smoke agent can be used at 0.5 g per sq m and fumigated at night for 12 hours.

Now, due to the development of cultivation techniques, cilantro can be planted in all four seasons. However, cilantro prefers warmth, so the temperature needs to be well controlled during planting. After planting cilantro, field management still needs to be done well. Timely fertilization and irrigation are necessary, and pest and disease control must also be strengthened. Only in this way will cilantro grow well.