Most lettuces bolt when summer temperatures begin to rise. Once the plant sends up its seed stalk, the leaves become bitter and tough, making them unpleasant to eat. This marks the time when the plant will produce small clusters of flowers.
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.
How do you know when lettuce is bolting?
Lettuce does offer a few clues when it’s about to bolt. First, the center of the plant begins to elongate as the flower stalk is formed. Another obvious indiction is that the formerly sweet flavour is replaced by a bitter bite.
How do you keep lettuce from going to seed?
Instructions
- Purchase the Right Seeds. Some cultivars are quicker to bolt than others.
- Choose a Shady Spot. Many gardeners have had success growing lettuce throughout the summer by planting it in a shaded spot in the garden.
- Soak the Planting Area.
- Try Using Shade Cloth.
- Watch for Flower Buds.
Is lettuce still good if it goes to seed?
Can You Eat Bolted Lettuce? Yes, you can eat bolted lettuce but you probably won’t want to. Once lettuce begins to bolt it starts producing compounds called sesquiterpene lactones. They are the plant’s natural defense mechanism to ward off pests so that it can successfully produce seeds.
What are the stages of lettuce growth?
Optimum germination and growing temperatures vary depending upon the variety planted. Figure 3. Lettuce planter. Lettuce passes through six distinct development stages: seed, cotyledon, seedling, rosette, cupping and heading periods.
How long does it take for lettuce to get true leaves?
45 to 55 days
Most lettuce varieties mature in 45 to 55 days, allowing many gardeners to plant two or even three crops. But looseleaf and butterhead leaves can be harvested at just about any time in their development. Heading varieties take longer to mature.
Can you eat lettuce once it 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.
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.
How do you get lettuce to form a head?
To get nice big heads of lettuce, plant no more than one or two plants per square foot. For maximum production, start with four plants and harvest two of them as teenagers, letting the other two grow to maturity. You can also harvest some of the outer leaves as they develop, leaving the inner head intact.
Why is my lettuce getting 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 you cut lettuce and regrow?
Head lettuce will die back, but most leaf-lettuce plants renew efforts to produce leaves, if regularly watered after trimming. Results will often be smaller than the original plant, but you may be able to harvest a second, good-tasting crop within as little as two weeks.
What to do with lettuce when it bolts?
Here are five things to do with bolted lettuce.
- Donate Bolted Lettuce to an Animal Shelter.
- Cut Plants Back to the Ground; Let Them Resprout.
- Let Plants Flower for Beneficial Insects and Pollinators.
- Collect the Seeds for Next Year’s Garden.
- Use Bolted Lettuce as a Trap Crop.
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.
Does lettuce get bitter when bolted?
Bolted lettuce is a common problem for gardeners. The plants produce a flower stalk in response to warm temperatures and long days, which causes the leaves to become tough and bitter. While there is no way to stop bolted lettuce once it has started, there are some steps you can take to minimize the problem.
How long does it take lettuce to form a head?
Lettuce grows fairly quickly. Leaf varieties reach maturity in 30 days but can be harvested as soon as they reach the desired size. Other types of lettuce require 6 to 8 weeks to reach full harvest size.
Why is my lettuce flowering?
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.
How long does lettuce take to mature?
The most popular varieties of lettuce people choose to grow are: Crisphead/Iceberg – Matures in 70-80 days. Butterhead – Matures in 55-75 days. Romaine – Matures in 70 days.
Does lettuce need a lot of water?
Lettuce has shallow roots, so plants need consistent watering. Check at least twice a week and water if the soil is dry down to 1 inch deep. Containers of lettuce need to be watered more frequently than garden beds, especially in the summer.
What do true leaves look like on seedlings?
The true leaves unfurl above the cotyledons on the seedling, and look like a smaller version of the plant’s adult foliage. They are more decoratively shaped than seed leaves and often hairier, and all of the later leaves will match them in appearance.
Can you harvest lettuce a few leaves at a time?
Instead of cutting the head from the stalk as you do when harvesting head lettuce (thus ending the fresh salads), you can harvest leaf lettuce varieties one leaf at a time.