Cilantro

I'm going to give this a try. To confirm though, Burpee, as in Burpees.com ? Like that's the only place I can find it. That I'm not looking at my local Lowe's for a cilantro package label called Burpee.

Also interested if those people who try to start from cuttings, if that has a similar success ratio.

Finally, on the Burpees.com there are 2 or more varieties. Do some have better luck with a certain variety? Calypso is the name I saw, mine at home are Santo.  Want a balance of germination and something that is good/plentiful to eat.

Any other hints on getting started?  Do i put the bag in a certain place, like beside the AG? Our AG isn't in a sunny spot, should it be?. The climate here in Calgary is pretty dry, grade 3.  I'm expecting to grow these indoors, in some sanitized soil. 

Our Dill & Basil seemed to going well in the AG, and that's encouraging, but the do nothing cilantro pod is taking up real estate.

Anyone have thoughts on the effects soaking 48 hours, in addition to the paper towel in Bag Method? 

I'm starting with my existing seeds West Coast Seeds, Santo Long Standing, but plan on those failing(based on this thread), so probably will just order from the website, if that's the place to get them.  Our local greenhouse, just sold that brand, and I thought it would be good since it came from a greenhouse, not Home Depot.  This was my first post.



 

Here's an interesting video of someone comparing germination techniques for coriander:



She compared scarification, soaking, breaking the seeds, and nothing (control). For that seed batch, it looks like scarification with a piece of sandpaper worked best. That doesn't mean it'll work for everyone though.

My Cilantro only sprouted 2 out 20 seeds using the plastic bag method, using West Coast Seeds (cuz I'm Canadian, so different selection).  Our most successful herb in the Ag 3 pod starter unit was dill, though basil is coming along now.

I have a single Cilantro that sprouted about an inch, though 1 or 2 more sprouts are visible. Strangely enough the largest Cilantro came from just tossing seeds into a sponge, not from the bag on top method. Granted, only 1 of the 4 in the sponge actually germinated.    

I've learned, via the website and this forum, that Burpee can't be shipped to Canada - same with the others, so that's a bummer. But I had an awesome thing happen the other day, I was in the grocery store of all places (Loblaws) and they had seeds for sale, Burpee, in the middle of the produce section!  It was like Turnip then Squash, Pototoes, then a Burpee stand.  I have no idea why seeds, were in the grocery store, let alone the ones Shawn recommended, dumb luck.  I had kinda given up hope of finding these recommended seeds. (there's a thread in the Canadian section of this forum for those looking for a canadian distributor for Burpee, and it didn't seem promising).   

I rolled up some paper towel bound with wire (rather than sponges),  and inserted some spaghetti squash seeds, so we'll see if that takes off or not. 


     

It is nice to hear you found seeds.  I wish you luck.  Just know that when I plant not all germinate either but I would give them the best rate of germination I have had. 

I have two cilantro seeds that have sprouted from using the wet paper towel in a baggie technique. I had the baggie setting on top of the in this case Moistenland unit. I also had one that I planted in a pod and covered with a vitamin lid that had also sprouted. So i am wondering about the ones from the paper towel, should I plant one each in a new pod or put both of them in the same pod? What do you recommend?

Wendy

Thanks for the response Shawn. I actually just got some of the Burpee Calypso seeds and started them in another Aerogarden unit (Ultra LED) on Sunday. Those are in the sponges, so we shall see how those do. I now have 3 herb gardens started. The basil and dill are off and running (day 8), the Cilantro were started at the same time and now sprouting, the thyme is also sprouting. Still waiting on the parsley, chives and the mint. At this rate, I may have to start another AG.

Hi! I wanted to share that I had followed your advice/experience on this thread and I have successfully sprouted 6 cilantro pods! We had tried several times to grow cilantro directly in the AG (in coco core pod) with no success. :( This of course was a disappointment because this is the herb we buy nearly every trip to the grocery store. Luckily, I found this page and your helpful experiences.

So, this time, I bought Burpee seeds and sprouted them using the paper towel and sandwich bag technique. I placed the sprouts into coco core pods and they’ve all sprouted! Can’t wait for my cilantro!