It starts to grow tall stalks (called bolting), develops flower heads, and eventually produces seed. Allow the flowers to completely dry out so you can save seeds from lettuce plants. One lettuce plant can produce hundreds, if not thousands of seeds – you only need a few plants to save lots of free seeds.
Where does lettuce produce seeds?
If a lettuce plant is allowed to reach maturity, it will grow a central reproductive shoot that springs up and produces a cluster of little flowers. The flowers self-pollinate and wilt. In their place grows little parachutes called pappus. Each of the parachutes is attached to several lettuce seeds.
Why does lettuce go to seed?
It produces flowers that form seeds, so more plants can grow, a process that’s sometimes called “going to seed.” Bolting in lettuce is triggered by warm weather and the long days of summer, usually when the daytime temperatures climb above 75°F and nighttime temperatures are over 60°F.
Should I let my lettuce go to seed?
When plants flower, it’s generally considered a good thing; however, in vegetables grown for their leaves, such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and other cole crops, bolting causes the flavor to turn bitter and the leaves to get smaller and tougher, making them inedible.
How many seeds does one lettuce produce?
Each composite flower should produce about 15 to 25 seeds, making this a simple, quick method for gathering enough seeds for home use. More seeds can be collected easily as other heads on the plant mature.
How long does it take for lettuce to go to seed?
about 40-50 days
Lettuce seeds grow very quickly. On average, it only takes about 40-50 days for them to reach full maturity. You can start harvesting leafy varieties much sooner than that, since they don’t need to reach full maturity first.
Where do seeds originate?
ovules
In the typical flowering plant, or angiosperm, seeds are formed from bodies called ovules contained in the ovary, or basal part of the female plant structure, the pistil.
Will lettuce reseed itself?
Plenty of common edibles are excellent self-seeders – arugula, Oriental leaves such as mustard, lettuce and radishes all readily self-seed.
Is it safe to eat lettuce that has bolted?
In theory, bolted lettuce is still edible and non-toxic, however a taste test is always a good idea. The leaves tend to become tougher, more bitter and may not be enjoyable. The plant builds up bitter substances to make them less appetising for predators.
Can you cut lettuce and regrow?
Lettuce regrows once its leaves have been cut or picked off the main stem. As long as the root is intact in the ground and there are at least 1-2 inches of stem and leaves at the base, lettuce will shoot new growth in as little as a week. The cut-and-come-again harvesting method is the most popular.
How do you pick leaf lettuce so it keeps growing?
Plan to harvest your lettuce leaves in the morning, when they’ll be at their crispest. Cut the outer lettuce leaves about 1 inch above the crown. This protects the crown so the lettuce can continue growing. Cut off the amount of lettuce needed when the leaves reach a length between 3 and 6 inches.
Why is my lettuce growing so tall?
ANSWER: Lettuce plants that suddenly start stretching toward the sky and growing extra tall are likely to be bolting. In the bolting stage, a plant stops focusing so much on producing foliage and starts to turn its attention toward reproduction, sending out a flower stalk that will eventually dry to release seeds.
Can I just sprinkle lettuce seeds?
Another option is to plant lettuce seeds directly into soil outdoors in planting bed or pots. Simply moisten the soil, sprinkle lettuce seeds where desired, cover with a very light layer of soil, and gently tamp it down.
What happens if you plant lettuce too close?
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) takes up little space and can be edible within a week of planting. However, overcrowding lettuce or planting it in areas with little light can lower your crop yield. There are a few tips to know to grow lettuce in the garden or indoors so as not to waste your time, effort and money.
How do you know when lettuce is ready to pick?
You’ll know when to harvest lettuce leaves when they grow to about 3 to 6 inches long, depending on the variety. Keep harvesting the leaves until the lettuce plant “bolts.” This means that plant has turned its energy to producing flowers and seeds and leaves usually become bitter-tasting with tough stems.
What are the stages of growing lettuce?
The Growing Stages of Lettuce
- Lettuce Seed Germination. Lettuce seeds remain dormant until the right combination of temperature and moisture stimulate germination, the first stage of lettuce growth.
- Seedling Development in Lettuce Plants.
- Lettuce Head Development.
- Bolting and Harvesting Lettuce.
How do seeds get produced?
When pollen lands on the flower’s stigma, it germinates and forms a pollen tube, which then quickly grows towards the plant’s ovary. Once it finds an ovule, the pollen tube bursts to release sperm cells, which fertilize the ovule and initiate seed formation.
Do seeds expire?
Most seeds last three to five years after purchase, but those dates can vary depending on the variety. Lettuce, peppers, parsnips and onions have a short lifespan and should be planted within a year or two. Corn and beans are among the best for long-term storage. “I’ve had them last for 10 years,” Agrella said.
What was the first plant on earth?
Cooksonia is often regarded as the earliest known fossil of a vascular land plant, and dates from just 425 million years ago in the late Early Silurian. It was a small plant, only a few centimetres high. Its leafless stems had sporangia (spore-producing structures) at their tips.
Does lettuce regrow every year?
Lettuce does reseed. The blossoms are nothing special when they bolt. I collect seed from my heirlooms every year. Most seeds will over winter and sprout the next spring.
Does lettuce survive winter?
Lettuce can usually tolerate at least a couple of hard frosts, especially if you’ve taken steps to harden off the seedlings and keep the soil warm. A light freeze is defined as any time temperatures are in the 28 to 32°F range, and a hard freeze occurs below 28°F.