Growing cilantro in pot, sometimes grows great sometimes nothing

[Muse]

Why?

I planted dozens of seeds in two different ~2 gallon plastic pots. In one I got spectacular results, in the other only one seedling appeared and it's barely growing in spite of plenty of water and sun and similar warmth (e.g. 75 degree days).

What could cause this?

 

[drnickriviera]

Could be tons of factors. What are the night temps? Could one have retained more heat than the other? Soil different/not draining/too much water and the seeds rot? Some granular preemergent (preen) still in the soil?

 

[Muse]

Could be tons of factors. What are the night temps? Could one have retained more heat than the other? Soil different/not draining/too much water and the seeds rot? Some granular preemergent (preen) still in the soil?

The night temps I'm sure have been fine, typically as low as 55-58 during the time span, I'm pretty sure, although I was out of town. Soil different is what occurs to me, although just how I can only speculate. Acidity is the only thing that I thought of, but why that would differ so much I can't guess. Both pots were formulated with a mixture of my garden's basic soil and my self-made compost. Too much water? Maybe, but wet soil never stopped these from germinating before. preemergent? I don't use herbicides or pesticides. Any why would the sole emerging seedling be growing so incredibly slowly? i.e. half an inch per week.

I've had this happen before and I was similarly befuddled. I have a rather large tub that just wouldn't grow cilantro while another would. I'm mystified. Problem is, cilantro (at least the way I grow it here) goes to seed rather quickly and if I want a steady supply I have to stagger plantings maybe a month apart.

 

[drnickriviera]

Acidic soil does bind nutrients so the plants cant use them. Who knows, head scratcher. How fresh are your seeds?

 

[Muse]

Acidic soil does bind nutrients so the plants cant use them. Who knows, head scratcher. How fresh are your seeds?

The seeds should be plenty fresh. I grew them myself fairly recently. It could be acid soil.

 

[Muse]

Wish I knew what to do to make a cilantro pot thrive. Some do, some are just nothing.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I grow cilantro outdoors and indoors. You mention nothing about fertilizer. I fertilizer mine every 2-4 weeks with tomato tone which I use for all of my vegetables and herbs.

 

[Muse]

I figure some of my DIY compost is all the fertilizer needed. One problem could be soil not being well drained. It's pretty clay soil here. Maybe I should include more compost when I plant. Still, I think there may be an acidity I issue with the pots that just won't grow cilantro. I should plant a pot tomorrow, my one stand is getting very bolted out.

 

[Muse]

I planted many seeds yesterday in large tubs. My one successful pot is pretty bolted out but still can pick some if not ideal leaves. There are around 5 young plants here and there that I hope are harvestable in a couple weeks to tide me over. Or I can buy some at local market, but it won't keep too long in the fridge in a plastic bag. I'm using some almost daily.