How Long Does It Take to Grow Cilantro Hydroponically?

A Fishy Venture: My Hydroponic Journey with Cilantro

I’ll never forget the day I decided to try my hand at hydroponics. Living in a small town, where the grocery store constantly reminded me that good fresh herbs weren’t just difficult to come by, but often outrageously priced, I thought, "Why not grow my own?" Little did I know, I was diving into the deep end of some really murky waters—literally.

The Aquaponics Idea

The seed of this idea was planted while I was flipping through some gardening magazines in the cozy corner of my local library. I stumbled across a picture of fresh, vibrant cilantro, and all the recipes dancing in my head made my stomach rumble. But it wasn’t just about growing herbs. Oh no. I had dreams of an entire aquaponics system where fish and plants would thrive in harmony. After all, how hard could it be?

With visions of lush green colors and the thrilling scent of fresh cilantro wafting through my home, I grabbed an old kiddie pool from the backyard and declared to the universe that this would be my hydroponic haven.

Gathering Supplies from the Shed

With no money to spare for fancy equipment, I molded my project out of whatever I had lying around. My trusty husband’s shed became a treasure trove—PVC pipes, tattered chicken wire, and half-used bags of gravel. I even found an old aquarium pump that definitely didn’t come with any sort of operating manual; I figured that if it was pumping water in a fish tank, how different could it be for me?

I remember lugging that pool across the yard, mumbling curses under my breath, wondering whether I had the muscle for this project or if I would throw my back out. Then there was the fish situation. After a quick visit to the pet shop, I found some bright goldfish that came with a hefty price tag of just a few bucks each. They promised to be hardy, and let me tell you, once I was home, I named each one. There was Larry, the biggest of the bunch, and Goldie—a little flame of orange energy who zoomed around the tank.

The Beautiful Mess Begins

Setting up the system was a wondrous chaos. I was high on my own ambitions. As I prepared the gravel bed beside the kiddie pool, the sun shone boldly, almost as if urging me on. At that moment, I believed I had it all figured out. I felt like a modern-day aquaponics pioneer, ready to harness Mother Nature’s secrets.

Then came the planting phase. I’d read something about soaking cilantro seeds before planting, so I did just that—plopped them in a damp paper towel, and waited impatiently. To my surprise, a few days later, tiny green shoots began to peek out. I celebrated these green miracles as if I had discovered fire.

But then it all turned into a gurgling mess. The water started turning green, and trust me, it didn’t smell like a fresh herb garden. More like an old, stagnant pond. I was on the edge of despair as I peered into the kiddie pool, just hoping I hadn’t killed Larry and Goldie. I realized I clearly didn’t have the balance of the ecosystem right.

The Moment of Despair

I almost threw in the towel when I couldn’t get the aquarium pump to work. There I was, crouched down and fiddling with that pump, convinced it was as defunct as a rusty bicycle from the ‘90s! It would sputter and burble, but never quite get the job done. I thought, maybe this hydroponic thing wasn’t meant for a small-town gal like me, after all.

I kicked back in the garden chair, contemplating the defeat nestled in my heart. But, something kept pulling me back. Maybe it was that pungent smell of the cilantro shoots begging for life, or good ol’ Goldie doing a frenzied little dance.

Finding My Way Through the Green

And just when I thought I’d truly messed up, I paused. Standing there, staring blankly at the floating bodies of my wilted plants, I felt a flicker of resilience spark. I remembered that aquaponic systems took finesse, time, and—most importantly—patience. I began researching again, watching videos and chatting with the few local gardening enthusiasts who admitted privately they sometimes lost the battle too.

It was a few weeks more of trial and error after that. I adjusted the pump’s flow. I switched out half the water and added a splash of aquarium cleaner. I even replanted some of those cilantro seedlings in a more spacious medium. And lo and behold—as if witnessing a miraculous rebirth—there they were, sprouting back to life, making my heart flutter with delight.

The Taste of Victory

Eventually, after about 5 to 6 weeks of ups and downs, I was harvesting fresh cilantro right off that bedraggled system. Blood, sweat, and a lot of fish food for Goldie and Larry made that first little handful of cilantro taste like victory. I could hardly believe it. I’d turned stale grocery store visits into the comfort of home-cooked meals bursting with flavor.

Let me tell you: there is nothing quite like eating food you’ve grown yourself—even if it’s just a humble bunch of cilantro.

Warm Takeaway

I think back to all the bumps along the way and realize this experience taught me a lot more than how to grow cilantro in hydroponics. I learned that perseverance often grows amidst mistakes and failures. If you’re thinking about diving into this world of growing your own herbs or fish, don’t worry about getting it perfect. Just start. You’ll figure it out as you go. Trust me; it’ll be worth it.

So, grab a kiddie pool and give it a shot. And don’t forget to invite me over when you’re sipping that first drink with herbs cut straight from your own backyard oasis.

Join the next session to dive deeper into the world of aquaponics and hydroponics! Reserve your seat today!