Culantro – বিলাতি ধনিয়া – 1500 to 2000 seeds – MGS1009

Also Known as Mexican Coriander / Culantro (Sawtooth Coriander)

Germination Temperature

• Optimal: 22–30 °C

• Minimum: ~20 °C

• Above 32 °C germination declines.
  (Consensus from tropical horticulture sources and seed trials)

Germination Time

• 10–21 days (sometimes up to 28 days if temperature fluctuates)

Plant Height, Span & Seed Depth

• Height: 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) vegetative stage; flower stalk up to 24–30 inches

• Spread: 10–12 inches

• Seed depth: 0.25 inch (6 mm)

Spacing

• Plant spacing: 8–10 inches

• Row spacing: 12–18 inches

Trellis / Support

• Not required for leaves.

• Flower stalk may need light staking in windy areas.

Timeline

• Seed → harvest leaves: 60–75 days

• Seed → flowering: 90–120 days

Pot / Container Size

• Ideal pot: 10–12 inch diameter, 8–10 inch depth

• Bed depth: 8 inches minimum

Soil Type & pH

• Soil: Well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter

• Mix recommendation:

  • 40% garden soil

  • 30% compost

  • 20% cocopeat

  • 10% sand/perlite

• Ideal pH: 6.0–7.0

Sunlight

• 4–6 hours direct sun (partial shade preferred in hot climates like Bangladesh)

• Germination: No light required (seeds germinate in darkness)

Water Requirement

Approximate per plant in 10–12″ pot:

Soil should remain moist but not waterlogged.

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13. Essential Nutrients

Important ratios:

• Nitrogen (N): 4–6%

• Phosphorus (P): 2–3%

• Potassium (K): 4–5%

• Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Iron

Organic sources:

• Nitrogen → Mustard cake, vermicompost

• Phosphorus → Bone meal

• Potassium → Cow dung compost

• Calcium → Oyster shell powder

• Magnesium → Epsom salt

Organic Fertilizer Plan (per 12″ pot)

Base mix (before planting):

• Trichocompost: 300 g

• Vermicompost: 200 g

• Cow dung compost: 300 g

• Neem cake: 50 g

• Bone meal: 40 g

• Mustard cake powder: 40 g

• Oyster shell powder: 20 g

Top dressing every 20–25 days:

• Vermicompost: 100 g

• Mustard cake: 20 g

• Epsom salt: 5 g dissolved in water monthly

Chemical Fertilizer

• NPK 10-10-10 or 19-19-19

• Dose: 2–3 g per plant every 15 days

• Urea spray (optional): 1 g/L monthly for leaf growth

Companion Plants

• Chili

• Tomato

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Basil

Taste Rating

• Fruit (seeds): 6/10 (aromatic, coriander-like)

• Leaves: 9.5/10 (very strong coriander flavor)

Pests

Common:

• Aphids

• Leaf miners

• Caterpillars

• Snails

Chemical control:

• Imidacloprid

• Spinosad

• Cypermethrin

Organic:

• Neem oil spray (3–5 ml/L)

• Soap water spray

• Hand picking pests

Diseases

• Root rot

• Leaf spot

• Downy mildew

Chemical:

• Mancozeb

• Copper oxychloride

• Carbendazim

Organic:

• Trichoderma soil treatment

• Baking soda spray

• Good drainage

Harvest Indicator

Leaves ready when:

• Length 6–8 inches

• Deep green

• Strong aroma

Seeds mature when:

• Flower head turns brown and dry

Monthly Yield for Family of 4

Bangladeshi cooking:

• ~0.8–1 kg leaves/month sufficient

Yield per Square Foot

• 0.25–0.4 kg leaves per sq ft per harvest cycle

Life Span

• 6–8 months (annual herb in Bangladesh climate)

Nutritional Value (per 100 g leaves)

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Calcium

• Iron

• Antioxidants

• Fiber

Low calories (~23 kcal)

Health Benefits

• Improves digestion

• Anti-inflammatory

• Supports immunity

• Blood sugar regulation

• Detoxifying properties

Recipes

🇧🇩 Bangladeshi

• Culantro Bhorta

• Fish curry with culantro leaves

🌎 International

• Puerto Rican Sofrito

• Thai soups (Tom Yum style)

Best Germination Months in Bangladesh

Based on recent weather patterns:

• March–April

• September–October

Warm humid conditions are ideal.

Seeds per Gram

Average from multiple seed databases:

• 600–800 seeds per gram

Best Propagation Method

• Seeds (best)

• Root division possible but less common

Storage Methods

Leaves:

• Refrigerated in moist paper towel → 7–10 days

• Frozen paste → 3–4 months

• Dried powder → 6 months

Few Specialties

• Much stronger flavor than coriander

• Heat-tolerant tropical herb

• Medicinal traditional uses worldwide

Quotes

• “In every sharp leaf of culantro hides a burst of tropical fragrance.”

• “Where coriander fades in heat, culantro thrives with courage.”

Unknown Facts

• Botanically closer to carrot family than coriander.

• Used traditionally for fever remedies in Caribbean.

• Leaves grow in a rosette pattern like lettuce.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific name: Eryngium foetidum

• Family: Apiaceae