It sounds like your cilantro might be just a little leggy? Can you add more soil to the container to give them more support? They'll grow!

I don't know if this is any consolation but I've been gardening for a long time now and I've yet to have any luck with cilantro!

I've also found that some seeds are just harder to grow by direct sowing them. From my experience it seems the bigger seeds direct sow much easier (ie, cucumbers, zukes, squash, sunflowers and so on)

Wait- your post makes it sound like an outdoor garden, but lance said containers. Did you put these seeds directly in the ground?

These are the seeds in my little square containers. I don't know how much more room I have to add soil, but I will give it a try.

But you may have to face the fact: I'm not as "greenthumby" as you two!

Oh ok. Hmm. I wonder whats causing them to go limp. I wouldn't say you're less greenthumbry :)

I think some people just have better luck some plants over others.

This is actually the first year I've had a lot of success with spinach.

Maybe just try different seeds. Even with super soil and super duper grow lights I've found that my herbs seeds germinate slowly.