Hi

I know there is a similar thread for potted plants, but didn't want to hijack!

I have just transplanted my coriander (cilantro) and basil seedlings from their germination pots into an indoor window box, and I was wondering what type of fertilizer is best to use for them? Is a commercial potted plant food ok (i.e. Babybio - I have a bottle of this for my houseplants).

Thanks

I know there is a similar thread for potted plants, but didn't want to hijack!

I have just transplanted my coriander (cilantro) and basil seedlings from their germination pots into an indoor window box, and I was wondering what type of fertilizer is best to use for them? Is a commercial potted plant food ok (i.e. Babybio - I have a bottle of this for my houseplants).

Hi Madder! Coriander and basil are both pretty delicate herbs and will need a good balance of food, sun and water. I have not had any luck with coriander in my deck garden and basil is always a bit of a strain as well, but then I am in the Great White North and it's a wonder we can grow anything at all. J/k.

Now as far as fertilizer goes, I think the concern of many of the gardeners on this board is the content of the fertilizers, not so much their efficacy. Sure, you can throw Miracle-Gro on everything and you'll get monstrous plants, but it's full of chemicals and I'm sure uses animal byproducts of various sorts either in the end result or over the course of producing it. So my advice is to combine a number of different fertilizers, including manure tea, bat guano, seaweed, worm castings etc.....animal friendly and organic where possible, and watch your plants for the results. Every garden is different so the only ones who will really give you solid feedback are the plants themselves.

Oh, and for edible crops, remember to wash thoroughly before eating, whatever you choose.

Good luck!

I just repotted my oregano seedlings but I'm leaving my basil babies alone for the time being. I never have any luck transplanting them. I also started some coriander seeds this spring but they aren't doing as well as I'd hoped. Only three sprouted.

I used to use transplant fertilizer but now I'm consciously trying to avoid chemicals so I'm in the same boat as the OP. I used a commercial potting soil, though, which possibly/probably had chemicals added to it.

Sometimes I find it easiest to just buy bigger herb plants! :)

Brahmacharya, MollyCat - thanks!

I'm quite proud of my seedlings, I've got about ten of each (maybe more coriander), and they seem to be doing quite well. (MollyCat - I sowed the coriander indoors, and kept them covered with a plastic bag until they germinated).

I'll have to try to find some organic typey fertiliser, although I'm not sure I'll be able to find it in small quantities (i.e. don't want to buy a bag of horse poo for just my little window box!)

Thanks for all yer help anyway, I'll keep talking to them and hopefully they'll grow big and healthy - and then I can eat them MUAHAHAHAHA!!! Ah my poor little babies...