Yes, lettuce gets seeds. Most people never see them because they pull out the plant long before it has a chance to set seed. One lettuce plant produces a ton of seeds. So you really only need to allow one or two from each of your favorite varieties to go to seed.
How do lettuce plants reproduce?
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.
Does lettuce keep reproducing?
Lettuce plants will continue to produce new leaves until the plant begins to flower and make new seeds. When mature plants begin to set lettuce seed like this it is called “bolting” in gardening circles. When you see this happening — a sturdy seed stalk will emerge from the center of the plant — stop harvesting.
How is lettuce grown and produced?
Most leaf lettuce is planted using pelleted seed and a precision planter. A small percentage is planted using transplanted seedlings that were started in a greenhouse. Growers often thin the density of growing plants leaving approximately 6 to 12 inches between plants to allow the plants to grow and expand.
Does lettuce go to seed?
That said, lettuce is a cool-weather crop, and once the warm temperatures and long days of summer arrive, lettuce plants go to flower and set seed. Most gardeners rip out their lettuce plants when they bolt.
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.
How many times does lettuce 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 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.
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.
Where is lettuce produced?
More than 90 percent of U.S. lettuce production is located in California and Arizona. The main varieties include iceberg, romaine and various leaf varieties. Lettuce production occurs year-round throughout the United States, through a sequence of production in Arizona and California.
Where does lettuce come from?
Lettuce originated in the Mediterranean area and was first grown as a weed. The first documentation of cultivation begins in Ancient Egypt over 6,000 years ago, but it may have been cultivated in the Middle East prior to this. Ancient Egyptian artwork, especially tomb paintings, depicts different varieties of lettuce.
How long does lettuce take to grow?
Leaf lettuce generally matures fast, which makes it ideal for home garden production. Most leaf-type lettuce varieties will mature in seven to eight weeks, but can really be harvested anytime you see leaves big enough to eat. Just take off the outer leaves and let the inner leaves stay to get bigger.
How long do lettuce seeds take to grow?
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. Romaine takes 75 to 85 days and crisphead 70 to 100 days.
How long will lettuce seeds last?
five years
Most vegetable seeds remain good for about two to three years, but some, such as onions, deteriorate within a year. Lettuce, on the other hand, can successfully sprout after five years.
Can you replant lettuce?
Unfortunately, you can’t re-plant lettuce in the soil and expect a new full-sized plant to grow, since it lacks the root structure to make that happen.
How many seeds does a lettuce plant 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.
Why is my lettuce growing like a tree?
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 regrow lettuce after it bolts?
Q: Will bolted lettuce regrow? A: Bolted lettuce, when cut down to its base will regrow under the right conditions. If summer is too hot, the entire plant may die, but in cooler temperatures, it may resprout and continue to produce.
Can you eat lettuce flowers?
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 know when lettuce is bolting?
You can identify a bolting lettuce plant by its stretched-out, leggy appearance. You’ll see a slender stalk where the leaves are attached. This is a sign that it’s time to harvest the plant all in one go. Once it starts bolting it will no longer produce more tasty leaves.
How do you stop lettuce from going to seed?
To prevent bolting, planting leafy lettuces in the spring and continually harvesting (cutting them back) during the year will likely prevent bolting and provide lettuce leaves for most of the summer. For head lettuce, such as iceberg, consider planting them as a fall crop so they mature as the weather is cooling.