Key Field Management Techniques for Off-Season Cilantro Cultivation

Keep the raised bed soil moist before emergence. Once 80% of the cilantro has emerged, remove the rice straw. High temperatures in summer and autumn can affect the growth of cilantro, so after removing the rice straw, promptly set up frames and cover them with shade nets.

Seedling stage management. Cilantro will emerge about 9-10 days after sowing. If rain occurs before emergence, a crust like a "pot cake" easily forms on the soil after the weather clears, which will seriously affect the emergence rate of cilantro. At this time, water once before emergence to ensure soil permeability and promote emergence. When the cilantro grows to 4-5 cm tall, thin the seedlings to ensure they have enough growing space. Thin to a plant spacing of 3-4 cm, removing the inferior and keeping the superior. When thinning, make sure the retained seedlings are uniform in size so they grow evenly.

Because cilantro has a short growing period, it is best to weed early, thin seedlings early, and apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer early. Generally, thin the seedlings about 7 days after full emergence, and set the final spacing when there are 2 true leaves, with a plant spacing of 3-4 cm. Usually water once about every 8 days, and start topdressing when the seedlings are 3 cm tall, applying 8-10 kg of urea and 250 g of boron fertilizer per mu. After that, in combination with watering (every other time), use 300 times Zhengfeng ecological fertilizer plus 0.3% urea solution for foliar topdressing.

Harvest in time. Cilantro currently bought on the market is all 23-25 cm tall. If the height exceeds 25 cm, the selling price will be greatly reduced, so when most of the cilantro has grown to 23 cm tall, it should be sold promptly.