Growing Coriander In Backyard At Home

Introduction to Growing Coriander in the Backyard

Hi friends, today we came with an interesting and easy topic called growing coriander in the backyard. The scientific name of coriander is Coriandrum sativum. It is native of the Mediterranean region and grown in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Most of the production of coriander is being consumed locally and a smaller percentage goes for exports. The fruits have a fragrant odor and pleasant aromatic taste.

Coriander is an annual spice herb used in the kitchen. It is mostly grown for its fruit and green leaves to provide flavor in dishes. Dry seeds of coriander contain essential oils that are used in confectionery, to mask offensive odors in the pharmaceutical industry and for flavoring liquors. Green leaves are a good source of Vitamin C and are used for making chutney, soups, and sauces, etc. Coriander also has good medicinal value. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are major producers of Coriander in India. So let’s dive and learn how to grow coriander in the backyard. Let’s get started!

This article includes the below list of topics:

1. Difference between cilantro and coriander
2. Varieties of Coriander
3. Propagation of Coriander
4. Growing Conditions of Coriander
5. Growing Coriander from Seeds
6. Soil Requirement of Growing Coriander in the Backyard
7. Temperature Requirement of Growing Coriander in the Backyard
8. The suitable place for Growing Coriander in the Backyard
9. Water Requirement of Growing Coriander in the Backyard
10. Fertilizer Requirement of Growing Coriander in the Backyard
11. How to plant Coriander
12. How to care for Coriander
13. Pests and diseases of Coriander
14. How to harvest Coriander
15. Harvesting Coriander
16. Harvesting Coriander seeds
17. Some facts of Coriander

A Guide of Growing Coriander in the Backyard

Coriander has recently become a very popular herb to grow at home. Grown mainly for its green leaves, which are sometimes known as cilantro, and also its spicy seeds, this herb is a must in salads and as a fragrant green addition to Indian, Thai, and Chinese curries. The seeds are the main ingredient of curry powder.

Coriander adds a distinct, lively flavor to your food, and it’s easy to grow at home. Coriander grows best in sunny spots. You can expect the plants to grow about 12 to 18 inches wide and 18 to 24 inches tall.

Difference between Cilantro and Coriander

They have different uses and tastes, though both come from the same plant. However, in different parts of the world, the plant is known as coriander & seeds called coriander seeds. Cilantro is the stems and leaves of the coriander plant. When the plant flowers and turns into seed the seeds are then called coriander seeds.

Varieties of Coriander

Following are the varieties of coriander:

Calypso: Full plants that are slowest to bolt

Cruiser: Large leaves and full stems with an upright plant habit

Leisure: Attracts beneficial insects and is a standard type of cilantro

Santa: Slow-bolting plant with bushy leaves

Varieties of Coriander Seeds for Indian Climate

CO 1: It was released by TANU, Coimbatore. The plant is taller with many umbels per plant. It is suitable for green and grains. Duration 110 days.

CO 2: High yield, dual-purpose variety, duration 90-110 days.

CO 3: Coimbatore. High yield, dual-purpose, the grain is medium-sized, seed oil content is 0.38-0.41%. Duration 103 days.

Gujarat Coriander-1: High yield, more number of branches, seeds are bolder and with a greenish color. Duration 112 days. 

Gujarat Coriander-2: High yield, dense, foliage, more branches, umbels large size, grain purpose variety, bold seeds, no lodging. Duration 110-115 days.

Rajendra Swati: Yield potential is high, suitable for intercropping, fine seeded, rich in essential oil, and resistant to stem gall disease. The duration is 110 days. 

Sindhu: Medium duration variety with 95-100 days duration. Grain is medium-sized.

Rcr-41: It is tall, erect, suitable for irrigated areas, and resistant to stem gall. Duration 130-140 days.

Swathi: Short duration variety that is 80-85 days. Escapes powdery mildew.

Sadhana: High yielding and suitable for rainfed areas. Resistant to aphids and performs well in moisture-retentive black soils. Duration 95-105 days.

Propagation of Coriander

The propagation of coriander is through seeds. In a garden or a container or a pot, seeds can be sown directly. Plant the seeds ½ inch to 1 inch deep, 2 to 3 feet apart in rows and rows should be 15″ apart. Coriander traditionally germinates very slowly and can take as long as 21days to emerge. Make sure to water regularly and that the soil is warm enough for speedy germination.

Growing Conditions of Coriander

Soil requirement of growing coriander in the backyard

It can grow in all types of soil, if provided sufficient organic matter is applied but well-drained loamy soils are suitable for good growth. pH range of soil for coriander should be 8-10. Coriander needs extra fertile soil if growing indoors. Under rainfed conditions, it is best suited to grow in black cotton soils.

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Temperature requirement of growing coriander in the backyard

It is a cool-season crop and a suitable temperature of coriander is between 10°C to 30°C. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 10°C, but if temperatures exceed 30°C it will start to bolt.

Suitable place for growing coriander in the backyard

A place away from direct sunlight will be more desirable. The soil should be mixed with cow dung and row leaves. If the soil has fertilizer content, then adding a bit of lime will be good.

Land preparation for growing coriander in the backyard

Land should be prepared well by giving 2-3 deep plowing followed by planking to make uniform and leveled beds.

Water requirement of growing coriander in the backyard

Water the plants, the soil should not dry when you touch. Water thoroughly until the water comes out the drainage holes. Keep the soil regularly moist, but not soaked. Good drainage is essential, as it has deep roots. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week.

Fertilizer requirement of growing coriander in the backyard

Once the plant reaches a 2-inch height, you can apply fertilizers. Diluted cow dung water can be applied in the first stage. Nitrogen fertilizers are also good for the plants. As the plants grow, the frequency and amount of water should be brought down gradually. Also, never allow the plants to grow in thick bunches. Any weeds therefore should be uprooted in their initial stage itself.

Growing Coriander from Seeds

Technically a fruit containing two seeds in it is a Coriander seed. So the round thing that you can see will contain two seeds in it. Each seed will grow into a coriander plant. The fruit can be split and sown or sown whole. Since it scarifies the seed as it increases the germination rate of coriander when split.

How to Plant Coriander

Coriander is directly sown. So, there is no specific step for planting coriander. The sowing and planting of coriander seeds happen at the same time. If you are growing coriander in containers, then you can move the container around to get good lighting etc.

How to Care for Coriander

By following the below tips you can take care of coriander:

• When sowing outdoors, thin seedlings/young plants to 5-7.5cm (2-3in) apart. If you specifically want to grow it for its seeds, grow at 20-25cm (8-10in) apart.
• Keep the soil or compost moist as it tends to run to seed if allowed to dry out, but take care not to overwater – especially in autumn and winter – as too much water can lead to rotting.
• During late spring and summer, give plants a light liquid feed of a general feed for every couple of weeks. Don’t use high potash feeds, as these will encourage premature flowering.
• If plants become stressed they will run to seed quickly and once flowering begins, the leaves start to lose their flavor. This is fine if you want to harvest seeds; otherwise, discard the plants.

Pests and Diseases of Coriander

Pests and diseases of coriander are mentioned below:

Pests of Coriander

Aphids

• If aphid infestation is heavy it may cause leaves to yellow and/or distort.
• Aphids secrete a sticky, sugary substance which encourages the growth of sooty mold on the plants called honeydew

Control

• Use tolerant varieties if available, check transplants for aphids before planting, reflective mulches such as silver-colored plastic can deter aphids from feeding on plants

Cutworms

• At the soil line, stems of young transplants or seedlings may be severed; irregular holes are eaten into the surface of fruits if infection occurs later
• Larvae causing the damage are usually active at night and hide during the day in plant debris of toppled plant or the soil at the base of the plants 

Control

• After harvest or at least two weeks before planting remove all plant residue from the soil
• Hand-pick larvae after dark
• If not growing organically, apply appropriate insecticides to infested areas of the garden

Diseases of Coriander

Soft rot

Near the base of petioles, there will be small water-soaked lesions which become soft, sunken, and brown

Control

• Control relies on the avoidance of conditions conducive to bacterial infection
• Plant coriander in well-draining soils
• Allow plants to dry before irrigating again
• Disinfect all equipment regularly

Powdery Mildew

• It appears as small, white, powdery patches on young parts of stems, leaves, and buds which increases in size, and coalesce to cover the entire area of the leaf surface
• Affected leaves are reduced in size and distorted. Premature sterility is also common. in serve cases, the umbels dry up

Control

• Spraying with 0.3 % Wettable Sulphur or 1g carbendazim.

Wilt

• In affected plants, lower leaves turn yellow and later dry
• The leaves become pinkish yellow to yellow. Sterility is often noticed in such plants. Seeds, if formed are immature and light in weight
• Severe infection in the early stage results in total failure of the plant

Control

• Adding Carbendazim 0.1% or copper oxychloride 0.25% directly to the base of plants

Bacterial leaf spot

Very small water-soaked spots between leaf veins that enlarge and turn dark brown to black, stems may have elongated dark streaks, inflorescences yellowing and turning brown and blighted, water-soaked lesions on fruit.

Control

• To control do not work with the plants when they are wet
• Avoid overhead irrigation
• Plant pathogen-free seed

Stem rot

Infected seeds fail to germinate, rapid death of germinating seeds before emergence, water-soaked reddish lesions girdling the stem at the collar region results in the collapse of emerged seedlings.

When and How to Harvest Coriander

For Coriander

We can pluck the leaves once the plant reaches 4 to 5-inch height. The leaves of the herb will be least bitter and tender at this height.  Both the leaves and the stalks can be used. Remember, the leaves should be pulled out only from the lower branches. This can be done once in two to three weeks.

We should also take care not to pluck more than two-thirds of the leaves as this will curtail growth. For cooking, instead of lower ferny-type leaves, use upper, new, and finely cut leaves. Like culinary herbs, Cilantro is not normally saved and dried. It loses almost its entire flavor when dried.

For Coriander seeds

Harvesting coriander seed is an easy affair. That too lar­­ge seeds are very easy to harvest. Harvest on a dry day. When the seed heads turn brown and start to crack when pressed, then you must cut the top of the stems. You must harvest the pods before they release seeds into the garden. Place seedpods in a paper bag after stems are cut, so that the seeds will be caught. Finish the ripening process for a few weeks in a dark, well-ventilated, cool place. you can take the bag, shake it and all the coriander seeds should fall off and you can pull out the bare stalk.

Facts about Coriander

• Coriander also is known as Chinese parsley is a versatile herb with a distinctive sweet-musky flavor
• Coriander has properties of antioxidant which helps boosting the effects of antiviral and antibiotics and removing heavy metal build-ups from the body
• Coriander is rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It also supports digestive health and it is a trusty ally in detoxification treatments, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a superfood

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Happy growing:-)