gardenmonkey
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Joined: 24 Jan 2007
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:25 am Post subject: Growing cilantro/coriander indoors? |
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So I've never attempted to grow anything before, but I've recently become addicted to cilantro (coriander outside the States) and would like to have my own plant if possible. Anyone know if this is possible as a houseplant? I live in a third floor apartment with a balcony so I could give it plenty of sunlight (assuming it stays sunny) if the window sill wouldn't be enough.
Anyone have some experience to share? I'm seriously in love with this stuff. I'd brush my teeth with it if someone made cilantro toothpaste. 
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zuzu's petals
Silly Old Bat
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Location: Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~ (Map)
Posts: 2568
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:52 am Post subject: |
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Mmmmm, cilantro toothpaste, sounds good to me. 
Cilantro can be grown indoors, though it would be fairly challenging.
It wants lots of sun, yet the soil temperature should stay below 75°F or it will bolt.
** edit to add:
Here's something interesting I just bumped into, | Quote: | | Vietnamese coriander is an easy-to-grow substitute for cilantro; it adapts better to the lower light of indoors, and unlike cilantro, it tolerates repeated harvests. |
I wonder if it really does taste just as good? 
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gardenmonkey
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Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Hmmm, interesting. Looks like Vietnamese cilantro is used in pho noodle dishes, which I love, and can also be used in salsa (yum). The leaves look really different though!
There's an asian market in town where I can probably get some. The question is, can I actually grow this stuff with no prior experience? 
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gardenmonkey
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Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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Yes! Found this: "Fresh cuttings may be propagated by sticking them in water and letting them sprout roots; keep them on a window sill with some sun exposure." Sounds possible. The sun is starting to come out here again.. well, not today.. 
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EJ
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Location: Essex
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| Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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It runs to seed very quickly if it gets to hot or starved of water. Good luck with the Vietnamese cilantro - sounds interesting.
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FallenDawn
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| Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:21 am Post subject: |
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My yard is simply too small to fulfill all of my gardening desires, so I have recently started growing some herbs and stuff indoors. Personally, I've never had any experience with growing cilantro indoors, but I have a hydroponic setup in my basement and I'm currently using it to grow some oregano, basil, and thyme. I have actually found that some of the best-tasting spices and herbs are hydo-grown.
If you Google "hydroponic growing" you can find many great resources. Now, hydroponics aren't exactly cheap, and they do take a lot of maintenance, but once you get the hang of it, hydroponic gardening is actually quite easy.
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saladbowl
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Location: North Dakota. US (Map)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:36 am Post subject: |
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Interesting. I have been wondering about growing herbs indoors. I hope your cilantro venture ends gloriously.
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Primsong
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Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Location: Oregon (Map)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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You might also try starting them in moist vermiculite, as they'll have stronger roots that way. Roots grown only in water may not have the strength they need to keep going when they are repotted into dirt later on. Good luck!
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gardenmonkey
Just Arrived
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Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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The temperature's been going up and down lately (70 degrees last week, 38 this week) and the sun has been sporadic, so I haven't started this project yet. I have been eating some thai food lately and vietnamese cilantro is pretty tasty! Just about identical to regular cilantro.
So moist vermiculite, you say..?
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toni
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| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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The roots that have been started in water do not have the roots needed for taking in the nutrients found in soil, so they have a difficult transition when planted in soil and the survival rate is not good.
The moist vermiculite sounds best unless you plan on keeping them permanently in water.
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