Heirloom Herb. Cilantro Coriander seeds produce a leafy plant often referred to as cilantro but is also known as Arab Parsley, Yuen Sai or Chinese Parsley. Leaves are an essential ingredient in both Chinese and Latin cuisine. This herb has good heat resistance and is slow to bolt. Regular cilantro seeds, or coriander as they are sometimes called, are actually little nutlets containing more than one true seed. Monogerm seeds have been split by the grower for more precise seeding, either in trays or direct in the field. Each half seed produces a single plant. This is the same Santo variety that has been bred for bolt resistance. For precision seeding with a field seeder or into plug trays, use Santo Monogerm Cilantro Seeds and get the exact number of plants you need for your organic vegetable garden. If the plants eventually bolt in the summer, be sure to harvest the flavourful taproot, which is useful in Thai and Vietnamese recipes.
Santo Organic cilantro seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! Cilantro "Santo" is bred to be slow bolting. Direct sow short rows of these frost-tolerant plants every other week from spring to late summer for continuous harvest. The mature seeds, better known as coriander, are easy to harvest, and used in many dishes - notably curry powder blends. Keep an eye you your cilantro crop because the flowering process (bolting) is famously quick in this plant. As soon as a central stem appears and the uppermost leaves become frilly, it's time to harvest the whole plant, roots and all. The roots are useful - check out our Coriander Root Paste recipe. Because of this taproot, cilantro does not transplant well.
If growing for seeds, simply allow the plants to flower. Cilantro flowers are highly attractive to beneficial insects like Syrphid flies, lacewings, and lady beetles. Be warned that if the seeds are not harvested when they are mature, you will have volunteer cilantro plants for years to come.
Cilantro will grow somewhat leggy, but productively in partial shade, and it is quite tolerant of cool temperatures. With the protection of a cloche greenhouse, cilantro will continue growing all winter.
Annual.
How to Grow
65 seed/gram. Sow seed directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed and cover with a fine sifting of soil. Grow as a short-term transplant to avoid bolting. Sequentially sow seeds for a steady supply of transplants through the summer. Seed generally germinates in 5-7 days. Transplant seedlings 10-12 days later, at least 30 cm apart. Leaves can be used 25-30 days after transplanting.
