over grown cilantro?
I have never planted herbs before, so I am thinking that the cilantro and basil plants I put in my pots should have been harvested before they grew to almost 2 feet tall and flowered. They look tall and not leafy, and not at all like the herbs you find in the produce dept. Are you supposed to cut back the plants when they are shorter, and bushier? Do they then grow back? Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I am trying! I live in middle TN if that helps.
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(post #12818, reply #1 of 1)
Cilantro is an early season herb. It comes up very early in the year and you harvest the leaves. Once it gets warm, it "bolts" or starts to go to seed. When that happens, it's done. You can then yank it up OR let it go to seed so you can replant it in the fall. There's nothing you can do to prevent it from bolting - it's one of those herbs that has a short season.
Your basil needs to be kept cut back. It probably needs a serious trimming. I'd cut back all the stems to the lowest set of leaves on each stem. It'll look pretty naked and may even sun burn, but new growth will come right out. The couple of weeks we had in the 90's caused it to start blooming. You don't want basil to bloom. When you see the bloom buds starting, pinch them out. Keep it watered, especially if it's in a pot. If it gets water-stressed, it'll do just what you're describing.
Jeana
Never try to baptize a cat.