Why does my cilantro look like dill...and other questions!

[Luv to Cook]

Hi all,

I started growing cilantro a few months ago and it was coming up nicely. But, recently I have noticed that some leaves look like dill. They smell like cilantro, taste like it too...but the leaves got really skinny, but not sickly looking? Did I wait too long?

Also, how do I trim this cilantro to use it. Do I just cut off a bunch? Will it continue to grow? I have heard that once it gets too hot it will bolt....what does that mean? Can I grow it inside?

Thanks in advance!

Antia

[Grace]

Cilantro is a strange plant, in that it has a short life cycle. You plant it, it grows to perfect leaves, then it starts to seed (which is the part that looks like dill), and then it dies. The seeds should scatter, and more should come up, but typically, you'll have to plant cilantro a few times throughout the growing season in order to always have some for picking and eating. Too much heat will make it go to seed (bolt) faster, but even with perfect weather, there isn't much you can do about it. It's just the nature of cilantro. You just pick off a bunch to use it. So I'd plant a new bunch every week or two if you can all through the growing season, and you'll be sure to always have a nice supply of cilantro ready for you! Good luck!

[buddie]

my cilantro has done the same thing. i think we are suppose to pinch off some of the new growth to make it more bushy then grow straight up. so yesterday i pinched off a bunch of the new dill looking growth.

think i will go buy another plant also =)

[lorilei]

Be aware that once cilantro starts to "bolt" that the quality of its flavor decreases rapidly.

Cilantro also bolts more rapidly in very warm weather, so you might have to replant more often if your climate tends toward being "hot".

[Vanessa]

Coriander

Both the green feathery leaves (also known as cilantro) and the spherical seeds of coriander are indispensable in the kitchen, especially to anyone who is fond of curries. Coriander looks like flat-leaved parsley. The seed is sold both whole and ground and is the main ingredient in curry powder. It has a sweet taste reminiscent of orange peel.

Description

The plant grows to a height of 2 feet with a spread of 9 inches. The bright, green leaves are fan shaped and become more feathery towards the top of the plant. The flowers, which bloom from mid- to late summer, are small and white, formed in umbel-like clusters. The pale brown roots are fibrous and tapering, shaped like a carrot.

Cultivation

Coriander will not grow well in humid climates. It needs a dry summer and a sunny location. Seeds are sown directly in the garden once all danger of frost has passed. It also does well as a container plant on a sunny porch or balcony. Stems are weak and the plant may require staking.

Harvesting

Cut the leaves as required. They do not dry well, but may be frozen.

Medicinal Use

Coriander is used to treat digestive ailments and colic.

Culinary Use

Coriander is used widely in Indian, Greek and Asian cooking.

Marinated Smoked Fish Filets

[Beth]

What you are describing sounds to me like the "bolting" others have mentioned. Like parsley, cilantro will send up a stem that look different and will produce a bloom and eventually a seed head on top. Once the plant blooms, it changes the oils and such inside the plant, giving less flavor. You can try to pinch them off, but I never had success keeping a plant going that way. Use the leaves, and if you do get a seed head on top, those seeds are coriander. PLants some, use some.

I'm planning on trying some cilantro indoors so I can have it when my tomatoes and peppers are growing.

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I didn't know cilantro was so finicky!

Anita