What's happened to my Coriander plants?

[beaniebaby25]

I need some advice!! I've nurtured some coriander plants from seed and they're now in a pot on my kitchen windowsill. All was well, I'd been using it in curries etc, but now the plants are really tall (around 40cms?) and the leaves are changing shape with every new sprouting. They're not a lot more whispy and look 'ferny', and are not as pungent. I havent cooked with any of these new leaves yet. Also the stalks and leaves are growing more and more pale (yellow/whitish)

Now this afternoon I get home from work and there are flowers on the plant! small, white flowers. What's going on!? Please someone help!

Your coriander has 'bolted' and will be no good anymore I'm afraid. You need to keep using it or cutting it back and not let it flower. Time to start again. Sorry.

I'm afraid you've bolted...

Time to start from new.

My understanding (I've been gardening for a whole 8 months now) is that bolting can be caused by underwatering. But coriander has a limited lifespan when domesticated, so you have to re-seed every few months.

HTH

oh no

Thanks both for your speedy words of wisdom. Can't believe i have to start again

I'm so glad I asked...otherwise I'd have been left with a massive useless plant! And how I know what to do differently next time.

Good luck with the new ones beanie. I can't even get my coriander seedlings to grow at all. Contrary things plants.

omg I knew nothing of this bolting!

I better start chopping back now

at least you got some use out of it beanie!

But you could always keep the bolted ones alive and you will get coriander seed which you can either dry and use in cooking, or sow next year. No need to waste them.

Oh this is brilliant, this happened to mine last year produced loads of seeds, now I know there's a name for it, don't know where I put them

Oh yes, coriander seed very tasty. Good tip Kathy.

as Kathy says keep the bolted ones for seed, and sow some new ones for leaves. really organised radio presenters claim to sow things like coriander every couple of weeks so there is always fresh stuff on the go. The bolted ones sound as if they might appreciate some fresh compost as they are getting a bit pale and weedy, but they will probably hold out if you can't be bothered

ooh you guys are gooood

I planted basil and rosemary at the same time and they seem quite happy.

Do I need to know about anything else bolting or am I safe?

wow you lot really know your stuff! Thanks again. I think I'll leave them be and keep the seeds... and grow some more in the meantime. I've just got through a new batch of herbs to sow so i'll do them all at the same time

Thanks ladies!

Coriander seeds are also supposed to benefit from being soaked in water for a few hours before sowing to help germination.