Content
Cilantro is one of those crops that even an inexperienced vegetable grower can grow. The plant is characterized by an easy planting and care process. However, before dealing with the issues of growing this crop, you should determine how quickly cilantro sprouts after sowing.
How many days does it take for cilantro seeds to sprout?
Cilantro is characterized by a relatively short period of time during which the first shoots appear. The process of crop growth depends on a lot of factors, one of which is the preliminary state of the seeds.
As a rule, if the planting material has undergone preliminary preparation before planting, the first shoots may appear within 5-20 days. If the seeds have not been treated, the time for sprouts to appear may increase to 20-30 days.
What do cilantro sprouts look like?
It is quite difficult to distinguish coriander from other herbaceous crops in the early stages.Typically, cilantro grows similar to most greens in the Apiaceae family. However, experts identify features according to which coriander can be identified externally. Cilantro emerges in the form of small loops, similar to the eye of a sewing needle. After 2-3 days, the sprout straightens and reaches 2-3 cm in length. At this stage, the seedlings begin to form leaves that look like parsley.
Due to its similar structure to parsley, coriander received a second name - Chinese parsley.
A week after the first shoots sprout, each of the young plants appears with leaves that are shaped like blades with jagged edges. At this point in ripening, coriander becomes distinguishable from parsley and other herbs.
What determines the germination of cilantro (coriander) seeds?
By seed germination, vegetable growers mean the number of seedlings out of the total number of planting materials. Manufacturers often calculate this criterion independently and indicate it on the packaging. According to percentage statistics, the ideal germination rate is 90% of the total. However, in practice, the number of sprouts may be significantly less than stated.
As a rule, the following factors influence germination:
- seed quality;
- temperature and light conditions;
- the soil;
- hole depth;
- watering;
- treatment before planting;
In order to increase the germination percentage to the maximum possible, it is important to comply with all the criteria that affect the growth of cilantro. The more factors that meet the requirements, the better the harvest of the planted crop will be.
Seed quality
For most members of the Apiaceae family, which includes cilantro, important criteria affecting germination are the quality and freshness of the seeds. This feature is also inherent in parsley, dill, carrots and other crops. The fresher the seeds, the more of them will sprout. In order to ensure the maximum percentage of germination, it is important to use planting material when sowing that is no more than two years old.
Temperature and light conditions
It is known that most cultivated plants require compliance with temperature and light conditions. Cilantro in this case is no exception. For this crop, a temperature close to 25 °C is considered optimal. The photoperiod characteristic of coriander is within 10-12 hours.
If the basic requirements of temperature and light conditions are not met or if there are significant deviations from them, the plants may not germinate within the desired period or die.
Sowing depth
Excessive sowing depth can cause late germination of coriander or the death of the sprout as a whole. In order to avoid the consequences of improper planting, it is important to immerse the seeds at the optimal distance from the surface. As a rule, planting material is placed at a depth of 1.5 to 2 cm and sprinkled with soil.
The soil
Cilantro is demanding when it comes to soil selection, but its composition does not imply the presence of complex mixtures. To create a favorable environment for the growth of coriander, it is necessary to take ordinary garden soil as a basis and add humus, peat and ash to it in equal proportions.
Thanks to the addition of humus and peat, the soil for planting cilantro is saturated with nutrients necessary for rapid growth
Treatment before planting
The preparation of cilantro seeds is carried out four days before planting. In order for the coriander to sprout as quickly as possible, you must first rinse it under cold running water. This is done in order to wash away the essential oils contained in the seed coat, which can affect the growth rate.
What to do to make cilantro sprout quickly
The rapid growth of cilantro is a merit of compliance with all the rules of plant agricultural technology. It is quite simple to speed up the process of selecting seeds suitable for planting. To do this, you need to place them in a saline solution for two hours. After time, empty or spoiled seeds will remain on the surface of the water and will not sprout.
Preparing seeds before planting
To speed up the process of sprouting, it is necessary to place the seeds in water for 1-2 hours before planting. The temperature of the liquid should be close to room temperature. We also allow the option of soaking the seeds for two days. In this case, the water in which the seed will lie must be changed every 12 hours.
This procedure is not necessary for the seeds of this crop, but it will speed up the ripening period of cilantro.
Correct planting technology
Initially, before planting, it is necessary to prepare the beds and furrows in which the seeds will be placed. The sowing depth of coriander should not exceed 2 cm, as this threatens to slow down the germination of the plant.
The distance between the grooves should be 40-50 cm, so that when the seeds germinate, each of them receives the required amount of light. An interval of 10 cm should be maintained between seeding material.This way, the plant will have sufficient area for germination.
Creating a greenhouse effect
Creating a greenhouse effect is necessary if cilantro is grown at home and not in open areas. To do this, cover the container with the planted seeds with glass or cling film.
The microclimate created inside the container allows you to speed up the germination process and has a beneficial effect on the timing of crop ripening.
Use of growth stimulants
To quickly germinate, many vegetable growers resort to the use of growth stimulants. Chemical additives are used at the seed soaking stage. The longer the seed remains in water with a stimulant, the greater the effect the product will have on its growth process.
In addition to the chemical version of the stimulant, it is also possible to use a natural supplement for accelerated growth. To do this, when soaking cilantro, replace the water with aloe juice.
What to do if cilantro has not sprouted
Cultivation of cilantro occurs several times per season, so if your planting attempt fails, do not despair. If the coriander seeds have not sprouted, then you should change the planting material or change the place where it is planted.
The most favorable soil for the growth of cilantro is considered to be the soil after onions and garlic.
Conclusion
In order to know for sure how long after planting cilantro sprouts, it is necessary to take into account many factors. The growth process of this crop can be accelerated if you know the intricacies of care and cultivation.
