Fresh Coriander

[raygraham]

Hi All,

I am not very green-fingered but would like to have a more constant supply of Fresh Coriander.
Has anyone any hints how best to grow the stuff, like what seeds to buy, where to grow it, compost, watering...........etc etc. I usually buy ready cut bunches from the Asian supermarket at about 50p a bunch. I have also bought it growing in a pot at ?1.30p rip off but once I have it at home it wilts and dies!!
I really am useless at this so simple tips would be a great help.

Regards

Ray G

[George]

Ray

I grow a lot of fruit and veg with quite a bit of success. Unfortunately, Coriander is one of my few and greatest disappointments. I simply cannot get the great growth and 'bushiness' which you expect from the bunches at Asian grocers and some supermarkets. I guess the Cyprus climate and greater expertise must help. So I've given up. The flavour is there and it will be fresher tasting, though, for micro-quantities, e.g. a sprinkle on one or two curries but not for a dish requiring one or two whole bunches.

Regards
George

[Curry King]

I used to have the same problem I would buy it in a pot and after a couple of days it would just wither and die.  I have since started moving the pot into the living room window where it gets a lot more light than the kitchen and it grows back fine.  I water it once a day and am still using the same pot I bought about 2 months ago.

I have had no joy in growing from seed though.

[raygraham]

Thanks guys,

I think this has given me a few tips straight away, like buy it at the Asian supermarket at 50p a bunch and save the hassle. I do chop it in the blander and freeze it in ice-cube trays with a spot of water. It seems to stay fresh but the colour goes quite dark.

Ray

[blade1212]

I actually freeze the full packet/bunch and grab the amount I need each time. It defrosts in seconds this way and is indistinguishable from fresh corriander once in a curry.

[George]

I think this has given me a few tips straight away, like buy it at the Asian supermarket at 50p a bunch and save the hassle...

That's certainly my conclusion, despite near-100% success in taking each and every seed to a plant of around six or eight inches tall. It's just that there aren't enough leaves to compare with the 50p bunches. For anyone who wants to try, I use a propagator (cheap heated seed tray) with cheap B&Q multipurpose compost in it. When the seedlings are large enough, plant out into small flower pots. Sunshine and high temperatures will help bring on the plants, as on a window sill in summer.

Regards
George

[raygraham]

I actually freeze the full packet/bunch and grab the amount I need each time. It defrosts in seconds this way and is indistinguishable from fresh corriander once in a curry.

Great stuff, thanks Blade and George!
I think the answer is in convienience and cheapness. I imagined myself farming the stuff and having fields of it on the windowsill. Sadly I can't achieve this as it seems to be a fussy kind of plant! So down to the local Asian supermarket it is cos they have loads of it at mega cheap prices. Thanks all the same, I think this has answered it for me!!

Ray G

[pete]

I have grown it loads of times
It needs to be treated the same as tomatoes
It grows at the same time of year too
Don't bother trying now
March to August is best in this country
It needs light and gentle warmth
Any seeds from a garden centre are good
I stopped doing it, because I could never time it's growth to my curries
Loads went quite quickly to seed
Actually the green seeds are quite nice too!

[Nessa]

I stopped growing coriander as it went to seed so quickly, if you turned your back for 5 minutes it had gone! You have to be vigilant nipping out the flowering buds to promote the bushy growth.

I'm lazy and I freeze the whole bunch, grab it from the freezer and chop off what I need while it's still frozen.

[raygraham]

Once again thanks for the advice folks.
That's one great thing about this site. You learn something new every day!!
Enjoy your cooking,

Regards

Ray