Leisure Splits Slow Bolt Cilantro Herb Seeds

Leisure Splits Slow Bolt Cilantro Seeds - Culinary Herb Heirloom Garden Seeds
Coriandrum sativum
Listing is for 1 packet of minimum 20 seeds

Cilantro is so easy to grow and the flavor of fresh homegrown cilantro is way more concentrated than the cilantro found in the grocery store. Leisure Splits is known to be a heat tolerant, slow bolting cilantro variety. I direct sow by sprinkling over the surface of my garden beds or can start seeds in pots/trays. It does like moderate temperatures, not too hot and not too cold. In Florida, it grows best fall, winter, and spring. Too much heat will cause cilantro to bolt (start forming flowers), which slows down production of leaves. I like to succession sow every 2 weeks to extend my harvest. Cilantro and coriander are the same thing. The leaves are called "cilantro" while the seeds are called "coriander". Please keep in mind that cilantro is a butterfly host plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Please do not spray your plants to kill butterfly caterpillars. Instead grow way more cilantro than what you think you need, knowing some of it will get sacrificed to the butterflies. 

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: Cilantro likes full sun but in areas with extreme heat, its best to plant them in a spot that gets bright morning sun with some afternoon shade. 

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist (but not water logged) because this will prevent early bolting (when the plant starts to flower and produce seed). 

Soil: Anything grows great in soil rich in organic matter, but cilantro does not need the best of soil to thrive if given some extra nitrogen fertilizer. 

Fertilizer: Work some blood meal into the soil before direct sowing the seed to encourage leafy green growth. 

When & How To Sow Seeds: For a spring crop, direct sow seeds after your last spring frost date. For a fall or winter crop, or if you are located in a mild winter climate, start direct sowing seeds when you start planting your fall garden, usually around 4 months before your first winter frost date. Then continue to direct sow more seeds throughout winter if given protection when temperatures drop below 20F. Cilantro is very cold hardy. To direct sow, sprinkle a few seeds over the soil surface, press them down so they make contact with the soil, and gentltly water them in. 

Germination: 7-10 days

Days To Maturity: 50 days but can harvest baby greens as needed

How & When To Harvest: Cilantro is usually ready to harvest about 3–4 weeks after direct sowing when the leaves are 4–6 inches tall. You can start by snipping the outer leaves and let the center keep growing for continuous harvests. For the best flavor, harvest leaves before the plant bolts (sends up a flower stalk), since the leaves become bitter once it starts flowering.

Common Diseases: Cilantro doesn't have too many disease issues. But in humid or wet conditions they can get leaf spot, powdery mildew, or anthracnose. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water to clean and disinfect. 

Common Pests: Cilantro generally has few pest problems, with aphids being the most common due to its tender leaves. I recommend hosing down the plants to dislodge the aphids. Avoid spraying with any kind of treatment because cilantro is also a host plant for butterfly caterpillars. I suggest planting more than you think you need, knowing that some will be sacrificed to the butterflies.

Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? Not yet