What are the preventive measures for cilantro bolting? A detailed explanation of the latest methods
Cilantro bolting is a phenomenon that affects yield and quality. Generally, summer-sown cilantro is prone to bolting due to long-day conditions, and improper variety selection can also cause bolting. Seeds collected in the same year tend to bolt earlier after sowing than seeds collected over winter. So how do you prevent cilantro bolting? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction.
1. Choose good seed
Cilantro is controlled by genetic factors, and its bolting performance differs among varieties. Generally speaking, small-leaf varieties are more likely to bolt during cultivation, and some begin to bolt when they grow to 10 cm. Large-leaf varieties have stronger bolting tolerance, and their bolting time is later. As long as cultivation and management are proper, they generally will not bolt even at 40 days after emergence and a plant height of 30 cm. Therefore, when planting, it is recommended to choose large-leaf varieties with cold resistance and bolting tolerance, such as Xiangshuai, Milan, and Australian Four Seasons.
2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer
The nutritional status of the soil has a direct impact on the growth and development of crops. According to research, when soil moisture is insufficient and nutrients are insufficient, especially when nitrogen fertilizer is lacking, the reproductive growth of crops is promoted, which leads to early bolting and flowering. Therefore, when planting cilantro, a fertile soil environment should be selected, and sufficient base fertilizer should be applied when preparing the land. Organic fertilizer or farmyard manure is best for base fertilizer, and it must be applied sufficiently and in a balanced way. You can apply 3000 kg of decomposed chicken manure or farmyard manure per mu, together with 40 kg of a high-nitrogen, high-potassium compound fertilizer and 20 kg of urea, spread them evenly on the soil, and mix them into the soil during plowing.
3. Sow at the right time
Under long-day conditions in spring and summer, low temperature is the main cause of cilantro bolting. Therefore, in northern regions where spring temperatures are relatively low, the best sowing time is early April. If growing in a greenhouse, sowing can be done 15-20 days earlier, but when cultivating in a greenhouse, attention should be paid to wind protection and temperature control. It is best to keep the temperature inside the greenhouse between 15-20 degrees. Too low or too high a temperature can also cause bolting.
4. Harvest at the right time
Cilantro has a relatively short growth cycle. Generally, it can be harvested 40 days after emergence, and no later than two months. At this time, the plants are between 25-30 cm, large and tender, with bright green leaves, good taste, and relatively high yield. However, if harvesting is too late and the plants age, they will not only bolt, but their quality and taste will also decline, making the loss outweigh the gain. Therefore, timely harvesting is also one of the measures to prevent cilantro bolting.
The above is an introduction to the preventive measures for cilantro bolting. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.