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.
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 does an iceberg lettuce grow?
Iceberg is a head lettuce, meaning it grows in a ball rather than leafy form, and it is known for its comparatively small, densely packed heads. The outer leaves are bright green in color, while the inner leaves and heart are light green to yellow and sometimes even white.
How long does an iceberg lettuce take to grow?
Crisphead varieties (which includes the ubiquitous Icebergs) take about ten to twelve weeks to mature, and should be harvested roots and all. Butterheads are similar to crispies, only smaller. They take about nine – ten weeks to be ready for eating.
How many days does it take to grow lettuce?
You don’t have to worry about how to pick lettuce – it’s one of the simplest vegetables to harvest. Most lettuce can be harvested between 30 to 70 days after planting.
How long does it take lettuce to produce?
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.
What is the life cycle of lettuce?
total life cycle for lettuce is 48 days from the seed to harvest. Germination takes place in the germination rooms under germination specific conditions (see Table 5-1). The seedlings then spend 14 days in the nurseries before they are transplanted out into the main gutter growth system.
How do you know when iceberg lettuce is ready to harvest?
Signs of Ripeness
Iceberg lettuce can be harvested once it forms the pale round head familiar from the supermarket. Ideally, you’ll pick the lettuce when the outer leaves are pale green, before they turn brown. If they do change to brown, or a flowering stalk appears, harvest immediately.
How do you get iceberg lettuce to form a head?
Head lettuce needs cool temperatures and shorter day lengths for best head formation. When planted too late in the season, the plant will bolt (form seed heads). The greens also get bitter when temperatures are higher than 70 degrees F.
How often should you water iceberg lettuce?
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.
Can I grow iceberg lettuce from the core?
Regrowing Iceberg Lettuce from a Stem
To grow iceberg lettuce from scraps, take the stem or stump of your lettuce, pierce it with several toothpicks and fill a glass with enough water to cover the stem’s bottom. Place this dish in a sunny windowsill to grow. Change the water every day.
Why is my iceberg lettuce growing 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.
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.
How many times will lettuce 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.
Do lettuce plants keep producing?
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.
Does lettuce require a lot of sun?
How much sun does lettuce need to grow? Most lettuce varieties enjoy full sunlight. For the best turnout, make sure you plant your lettuce in an area that receives approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some varieties can also be grown in partial shade, receiving 4 to 6 hours a day.
Should lettuce be grown in full sun?
Soil, Planting, and Care
Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun, it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. You can grow lots of lettuce in a small space, even a container.
How many iceberg lettuce seeds are in a hole?
How many lettuce seeds to plant per hole depends on their age. If they’re new, then plant one per hole. Otherwise, if they’re more than two years old, plant 2-3 per hole, then thin them out later if necessary.
What time of day is best to harvest lettuce?
early morning
Lettuce: Pick lettuce in the cool early morning while they leaves are still crisp. Lettuce can be harvested as delicate baby greens, or as crisp, full-bodied heads. To harvest by the “Cut and Come Again,” method, cut with a scissors when lettuces reach about 4-5 inches tall to about 2” above the soil line.
How deep do lettuce roots go?
about 6 inches
Lettuces have fairly short root systems and only require about 6 inches of soil. Choosing a shallower, longer pot will give you more surface area, which means room to grow more plants. Many greens, like spinach and kale, also do well in these shallow, elongated pots.
How long does it take for lettuce seedlings to grow?
Depending on the variety it can take anywhere from 6 to 14 weeks from sowing to become ready for harvest. Lettuces are one of the easiest and more fascinating edible plants to grow in the vegetable patch.