The aroma of Dhania is irresistible and no African cuisine is complete without it. Dhania farming is easy as the crop matures within a short period and requires almost zero maintenance. This means that most of the money you will be making will be profit. If enough manure is applied, they rarely require any fertilizers. Chemical application is rarely needed which saves costs. The demand for coriander is growing rapidly just like for other vegetables like tomatoes, kale, spinach, and carrots.
These plants are extremely fragile and hence they should not be transplanted from pots to the garden. Instead, the seeds should be sown in the soil directly. Farmers can make rows or seedbeds and sow the seeds.
Coriander requires sufficient sunshine throughout the growing period. Once the seeds germinate and start producing leaves, the plants will require 5 – 6 hours of sunshine.
The plants become bushy with time and hence proper spacing is important. A spacing of 3 inches will be enough to ensure that the plants receive enough light. Proper spacing also makes weeding and harvesting easy.
Dhania plants are small and only grow a few inches long. They should be harvested once the leaves appear fully grown. However, if you want to harvest Dhania seeds, the plants can be left to bloom. Tiny yellow flowers appear within one week and later on seeds pop out.
Coriander is sensitive to temperatures and cannot thrive when the temperatures are too cold or extremely hot. They thrive in temperatures of between 150C – 260C. However, warm temperatures of about 250C are required during germination.
Watering
The seeds should be watered regularly until they germinate. After germination, the plants can be watered after a couple of days. Too much water can cause the roots to rot and damage the plants.
Coriander requires fertile and well-drained soils. To boost the growth process, manure should be added. Although it does not harm the plants, fertilizer application is not recommended.
Since the plants mature within a short time and are harvested immediately upon maturity, there is no space for pest infestation. However, root rot and powdery mildew can develop when there is too much dampness in the soil. There are chances of aphid infestation after flowering and when the seeds set in. Aphids can cause massive destruction when they eat up the seeds. At this time, a pesticide can be sprayed.
Coriander plants are ready to be harvested in 25 -32 days. They should be plucked immediately after healthy green leaves are formed. If they are left for another week the leaves turn feathery and develop yellow flowers and seeds sprout out.
Apart from its aroma, coriander has many health benefits. For instance, the seeds can be used to treat griping pain in both children and adults. Also, it treats gastric disorders and cures indigestion. Furthermore, it helps maintain good heart health and treats high cholesterol levels.