When coriander leaves become deeply fissured and take on a feathery appearance, the plants are running to seed. Although still edible, they become bitter. This happens from this time through till August in the UK.
I am not sure what causes this. Some say it's the hot weather. But I don't think it is. Coriander seems to grow normally during hot Augusts. So it could be caused by shorter summer nights (i.e. it's a 'photoperiodic' response (induced by daylength)).
Photoperiodism is common in plants in temperate regions where seasonal climatic differences exist; but I don't think it's so common in Mediterranean plants, as I think coriander is. I could do with some advice on this.
Plants constantly manage daylength using phytochrome in their leaves. Their many activities never cease to amaze me.
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