When botanists list the light germinators among the spice plants, Mediterranean coriander is one of them. The seeds therefore rely on a certain amount of light rays in order to germinate. You can find out what this circumstance means for sowing here.
How do I sow coriander correctly as a light germinator?
Coriander is a light germinator and requires sunlight to germinate. When sowing, the seeds should only be pressed a maximum of 0.5 cm deep into the soil, ideally at a distance of 15-20 cm. They germinate within 5-14 days with moist soil and good care.
What distinguishes light germs from dark germs?
The name already suggests that light is essential for the germination of coriander seeds or other light germinators. This is accompanied by the ability to sprout the cotyledons early in the year. Without any protection, light germinators do not have to be exposed to the dangers of direct sowing. There is nothing wrong with sifting the seedbed over with substrate or sand.
For dark germs, however, the opposite sign applies. These seeds require absolute darkness to get them ready to germinate. Consequently, they must be pressed several centimeters deep into the substrate. Since they also require more heat, early sowing in the bed is rarely possible.
How to sow the light germinator coriander correctly
If you grow coriander yourself via direct sowing, the window of opportunity opens in April in mild locations. Choose a bed in a sunny location with humus-rich soil, preferably fresh, moist and well-drained. Work the clod until the soil is finely crumbly and free of contamination. This is how you sow correctly:
- Press the seeds individually in a row no more than 0.5 centimeters into the soil
- the ideal planting distance is 15-20 centimeters
- a perfect row spacing is around 30 centimeters
- sieve the seeds thinly with sand or substrate and sprinkle with water
To protect against delayed ground frosts and voracious pests, spread a garden fleece (€34.00 at Amazon) over the seedbed. Depending on the weather conditions, germination begins within 5-14 days. During this time the earth must not dry out. Consistent weeding is one of the most important maintenance tasks until the young plants know how to assert themselves.
Tips & Tricks
If you sow directly, are you worried that coriander seeds will simply be washed away as light germinators? Then grab the ultimate seed helper to prevent this catastrophe. Spread thinly on the seedbed, the fine-grained mineral vermiculite protects the seeds from drying out and at the same time allows light to pass through.