CORIANDER - SLOBOLT

    Organic Coriander Slobolt

      ~   200 Seeds Pack   ~ 

Cilantro, also known as Coriander, is an ancient herbaceous plant considered by experts to be native to Southern Europe and Asia Minor. In the Early Ages, the leafy plant and its seeds were spread to Egypt, Southwestern Europe, and Eastern Asia along trade routes. Cilantro was documented in Egyptian records as early as 2500 BCE, and the seeds were discovered in Israeli caves that have been dated to be over 8,000 years old.  Spanish explorers were said to have introduced the herb to the New World, and in the 17th century.

Slobolt Coriander also known as 'Slow Bolt’ , 'Long-Standing',  is a bolt-resistant strain producing lush vegetative growth and not objecting to several cuttings over a period.  Consists of small leaves attached to long and slender green stems. The leaves vary in size, with the base leaves being larger, while the leaves at the top of the stems are smaller and more delicate. The dark green leaves are generally broad, flat, and deeply lobed with feathery, serrated edges and a smooth and crisp consistency. In addition to the leaves, the pale green stems are edible and provide a crunchy, succulent texture. Cilantro has a sweet, vegetal, and pungent aroma and an earthy, herbaceous, and bright, grassy taste. Slow Bolt Cilantro has been developed to hold off bolting for longer than other varieties, meaning more time to enjoy the fresh leaves and their distinctive flavour and aroma. After the cilantro does bolt and produces flowers, you can collect seed (called Coriander seed) and/or allow the plant to reseed itself to come back again. 

PLANTING&GROWING

The aromatic herb can grow in plant containers in your balcony garden or inside near a sunny window.
Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them.  
Cilantro is grown outside in summer and all year round in greenhouses to protect the plants from the winter cold.  The aromatic herb can reach up to 60 cm in height and can grow in plant containers in your balcony garden or inside near a sunny window. 
If you don’t have a suitable garden spot, try a container instead.  A pot that’s at least 8 inches wide and it has drainage holes. Due to cilantro’s sensitive roots, repotting is best avoided. Instead, make sure you choose a suitable growing container for your seeds right from the start.

Seeds should be planted about 1 to 2 inches apart and roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.  Soil should be well-drained but moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. The pH of the soil should ideally be in the range of 6.0 to 6.7.  The cilantro plant thrives with about six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, when plotting your garden, select a spot that won't receive too much high-noon sunlight, as harsh rays can burn cilantro leaves. If you live in a hot climate, consider planting your cilantro where it can receive some afternoon shade or in pots that can be periodically moved into the shade. Too much heat and direct sun can cause the plant to bolt.
Snip off the tops of stems before the plant flowers for continued harvest of leaves. For coriander seeds, allow plants to flower; seed will be ready for harvest 2 to 3 weeks after flowering when they turn light brown. 
Coriander does well near plants that add nitrogen to the soil. Nitrogen converts to nitrates which add nutrients to your cilantro. Nitrogen producing plants include beans, peas, alfalfa, clover, and lupines. Plant dill and cilantro together in your garden to increase their natural pest control. Do not plant fennel in the area where you are using cilantro as a companion. Setting your cilantro fairly close to your vegetables may increase the chances that its scent will repel pest bugs from them.  
Cilantro plants are pollinated by bees and other pollinators.