A Firm Guide to Grow Coriander in Your Balcony

Coriander is one of the known and easily grown herbs at home. It’s an aromatic herb that is used to dress the salad and add a pinch of taste to the dishes. The leaves are known to provide a strong fragrance and boost digestion. As they are rich in essential elements including magnesium, and phosphorous Vitamins, therefore they help to curb disease and prevent infection. We have provided a brief detail on growing coriander on the home balcony.

Materials to grow Coriander 

To grow coriander in your home balconies following materials are required:-

• First and foremost is coriander seeds, they should be healthy and away from any disease or infections.

• A suitable pot with proper drainage holes is able to aerate the soil and provide smooth percolation through the pot.

• Soil to be well treated and compost to be provided.

• A balanced liquid feed is required.

Sowing Coriander

Following are strategies to sow coriander seeds to obtain quality coriander plants:-

• Coriander seeds can be sown between March to August. They should be sown on moist and well-drained soil. To obtain vigorous foliage, coriander seeds are to be supplied with nutritive elements and regular monitoring is necessary.

• One can grow coriander in 15 to 30-cm pots. Initially after sowing coriander seeds, they should be kept indoors. This will provide warmth and balance the temperature.

• Coriander seeds are to be sown every 6- 8 weeks. This will help to obtain a constant supply of coriander leaves with bushy foliage.

Also Read:- Easy Guide to Grow Spinach (Palak) in Pots in Your Balcony

How to Split Coriander Seeds?

Below are different steps one can adopt to obtain quality coriander plants in your balconies:-

• Soak the split coriander seeds in a bowl of water for a few hours or overnight. This step can increase the chances of successful germination, but it is not mandatory.

• Prepare the soil by directly spreading the coriander seeds on the surface. Ensure the seeds are evenly distributed, and then cover them with a thin layer of coco peat or soil. Avoid to burry seeds too deep, this causes hindrance to germination and prevents seeds from getting optimal sunlight for their growth.

• Alternatively, one can sow the coriander seeds in tissue paper or a seedling tray. However, direct sowing onto the soil is preferable to avoid potential damage when transplanting seedlings.

• Thoroughly water the seeds after sowing. It typically takes around 5 to 10 days for the seeds to germinate and sprout. During this period, maintain regular watering to prevent drying out.

• Coriander seeds can be broken by placing them on a newspaper. Gently crush the seeds using a heavy object like a pestle or a hammer. Apply moderate pressure to split the seeds without exerting excessive force.

• Coriander plants require attentive care. They should be diligently watered to avoid dehydration, as dried-out plants may not recover.

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Maintenance Tips

The following are some best maintenance tips to obtain healthy and bushy coriander:-

• The soil should be kept moist as per the requirement. Soil should not be overwater, thus will prevent from pest infestation and frequent rotting.

• Once the coriander leaves have emerged they should be sprayed with light liquid feed for every couple of weeks, especially during summer. Avoiding the application of potassium feed will encourage premature flowering.

• If one wants to obtain a young plant from seeds, then it should be sown from 5-7.5 cm apart. To obtain seeds from young seedlings they should be placed at 20-25 cm apart.

Harvest

Coriander should be harvested when the plant has reached the height of 10-15 cm i.e. 4-6 inches tall and when leaves have achieved bright green color.

Also Read:- An Easy Guide to Growing Pineapples in Pots at Home