If the plant has not bolted and leaves are 3 feet tall, it would seem the soil must be very rich in nitrogen and the plants are very, very happy. Nutritionally, Romaine has all of the benefits of most green, leafy foods. Good spacing will result in larger heads and improved air circulation. When to Plant Lettuce. For leaf lettuce, start picking the leaves when there is at least 5-6 mature leaves of usable size. When you get germination like above, it is as joyous as getting 100% score in an examination. Harvest your lettuce when it takes on a blue-green color and the center leaves get less dense. All you need to do is to gently pull the foam cube apart from its joint and place it in a pot or in a netpot to be planted where it will grow to its full size. I don’t have one.. so this is how it is. Also known as “cos,” this long leaved salad green is crisp and crunchy, and usually has a mild, or just slightly bitter taste. No sign of good rain,we are in a terrible drought in South Africa. Cut the head off with a sharp knife, leaving about 1-2 inches of stem sticking out of the soil. Romaine lettuce is a convenient plant to buy for the garden, and one of those edible greens that thrives in a container. The proclivity of lettuce to flower and go to seed is a natural survival mechanism of the plant. Before the first frost or first really cold weather comes, harvest completely. Add a fish emulsion fertilizer to your soil. The leaves will absorb them and quickly get contaminated. Happy to share that I will be featured on, The mint plants are growing very well and, © 2021 GEEKGARDENER. Fertilizing can be helpful to promote faster growth. Since it is has such a strong base on it, it makes it easier to germinate in my opinion. There are two ways to harvest lettuce i.e pick the whole head or just pluck the leaves. It comes from the same plant family as other types of lettuce. If you grow your Romaine in sandy or clay soil add compost to improve soil quality. The faster Romaine grows, the crisper the leaves. Here’s the best way to grow lettuce in your garden: Romaine lettuce propagates best in loamy soil that has good drainage characteristics. Sow your fall crops directly into the garden. A no nonsense commercial Hydroponics Training In India. Whatever be the system you are using, transplanting is very simple. There are dozens of lettuce types, and they fall into five categories: Batavian, butterhead, iceberg, loose leaf, and romaine. This means that seeds go into sleep and will not germinate. Romaine (also called cos) lettuce is a tasty, popular type of lettuce. In warm weather, lettuce–a cool-weather plant–will bolt (send up a shoot and flower) and drop seed; some varieties could get 3 feet tall with flower stalks. Latin Name: Lactuca sativa. Romaine (also called cos) lettuce is a tasty, popular type of lettuce. It will shoot up quickly if provided higher fertility. Remember, tender the leaves, better they taste. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. Romaine lettuce leaves are edible any day. I have a habit of covering the tray or the flatwith the polythene sheet to keep the moisture intact and it has always paid off well. I got this foam sheets for seed starting and they best part is they came with pre-drilled holes. It is a short term crop and much easier to handle. Cut the lettuce stems roughly 1 inch from the bottom. Feed in Moderation. If you’d rather stick to the traditional method, here’s how to plant Romaine lettuce for better yields: There are a few other ways to grow lettuce at home. The fall lettuce doesn’t survive the frost, and thus, timing is everything. What lettuce comes to your mind, when I say the word lettuce? The fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene content makes romaine an especially good vegetable for heart health. I don’t have to make holes . Romaine Lettuce is such a kind. If you’ve already harvested this way, you can use these regrown heads as cover crops. So remember to harvest early and enjoy your salad! Follow me on Instagram, […] Growing Romaine Lettuce or Cos Lettuce in Hydroponics | Hydroponics farming in India […], Your email address will not be published. Here are my recommended options for lettuce: 1. Iceberg lettuce has its crunch but if you look beyond the crunch, nutrient values that is, you will realize that there are several varieties of lettuce that will win hands down. Its a BORING day for this worm . The Gardening Channel contains a mash-up of articles on diverse topics such as: Romaine Lettuce, a PDF from University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension ServiceHome Garden Lettuce, from NC Cooperative Extension, Filed Under: Lettuce, Vegetables By Name A-M Tagged With: growing lettuce, Growing Vegetables, harvesting romaine lettuce, how to grow lettuce, planting romaine lettuce, romaine lettuce, vegetable garden, vegetable gardening. Your email address will not be published. You can use a general purpose fertilizer for feeding your romaine lettuce plants. That doesn’t mean you need to wait for 25 days. There is one thing you need to pay attention when you sow lettuce seeds. You can transplant the seedlings as soon as the soil is workable. Most lettuce varieties are eaten fresh and are commonly served as the base of green salads. Required fields are marked *. Preferable time to transplant is evening so that they have a longer time before the next sun. You call it Romaine or Cos, this lettuce is one of the best when it comes to nutrition and ease of growing. Pour 1/2 inch of water into a dish and immerse the stems into the water. Preparing the Site. To make the most of your fall crops, time maturity before lower temperatures kick in. South Africa is south of the equator, so the seasons are reversed. The only problem is that in a garden you are growing lettuce for its leaves. Start springtime crops from lettuce seeds indoors to prevent bolting. In case you didn’t get a good germination, don’t sweat. Vegetable gardeners often talk about their plants "bolting," which simply means that the plant sends up a flower stalk and goes to seed. If you are growing hydroponically, then there are multiple options to choose from. Early spring is the best time for planting lettuce. It gets its name from the Romans, who likely imported it from either Greece or (more likely) Arabia. Family Name: Asteraceae/Compositae. Romaine lettuce is generally ready to harvest at 70 to 75 days after planting. Each type has varying growing needs and characteristics. Like all varieties of lettuce, romaine (Lactuca sativa var_. Common Lettuce Issue – Why Is My Romaine Lettuce Growing Tall? You can keep picking the leaves for a few times. My choice would be to remove the bolted romaine lettuce plants from the garden, add them to the compost pile, and to try planting again for fall, or better yet early next spring. They seeds need to be fresh and with in the expiry period. Keep picking until a seed stalk appears or the leaves become bitter. It gets its name from the Romans, who likely imported it from either Greece or (more likely) Arabia. Make sure to amend the soil before spring planting so you allow the additive to activate in the soil. Home gardeners should strongly consider pulling the plant up. In general, romaine cultivars are among the most heat tolerant lettuce varieties. To keep rabbits out of the way, use floating row covers, chicken wire, or grow Romaine in elevated containers. Cutting it at ground level to create a head. . Lettuce is generally a rich source of vitamins K and A, though the nutritional quality varies, depending on the variety. While I have always used cocopeat for seed starting, this time around I tried something different. An addition of 16-16-8 fertilizer will work best. Try planting in early spring or the weeks of fall before the first frost. This is a question I encounter from beginner gardeners. Picking the whole head is quicker and is mostly preferred when you are into commercial production. All you need to do now is to ensure they are watered well. Water regularly and often, adjusting to your climate and conditions. Otherwise, the roots will regrow into the messy, unorganized heads. Romaine grows in tall heads of sturdy leaves and is very heat tolerant. Doing this when the plant is in its baby stage, at about 25 days, is often more successful than waiting for a mature head. Some common pests that attack lettuce are. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Many gardeners peel off the outer leaves and allow the rest of the plant to continue growing in order to extend the harvest time. Excited home gardeners don't have to wait that long, however, to sample the fruits of their labor. Your Romaine garden plants can be severely damaged by shot hole disease. Or you can always eat the lettuce – it’s bound to be bitter and not the best tasting romaine around, but the leaves and even the tiny yellow flowers are still edible. Place them 12-18 inches apart – more space generally means larger heads. It is also popularly known is Cos lettuce due to its origin in an Island called “Cos”. Cool season annual vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, bolt when chilly spring days turn into warm spring days. However, romaine packs a larger amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients than other popular types of lettuce. Bolting lettuce plants become bitter and sharp in taste as they shoot towards the sky. For this experiment to work, you need to shop at a local farmer’s market for fresh produce. Gardening Channel. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) can be grown in nearly all climate zones, but as a cool-season vegetable it does best when growing in the spring and fall—or even winter in southern climates.During hot weather, the plants bolt (send up flower shoots to produce seeds), and at … Romaine has compact dark green leaves with taller heads compared with other types of lettuce. What I do is, I create a small depression on the potting media surface and press the lettuce seed in. It’s always good to keep a few hacks under the belt. Like all lettuces, romaine is extremely low in calories and high in water content (about 95 grams in 1 cup). It grows well in pots and is a popular choice for container and vertical gardening. Some of them can be cultivated and harvested as microgreens. A moist medium is one where water drips when it is tightly squeezed. Or use our search bar to navigate the website for more valuable information on gardening. Well-suited for containers, romaine can grow alone, with other types of lettuce such as looseleaf, butterhead or crisphead, or in … I have cut them down and got a small crop. Though lettuce is a short term crop, they arent without pests. Some of the most heat-resistant Romaine varieties are ‘Sparx’, ‘Jericho’, and ‘Coastal Star’. Romaine Lettuce is such a kind. Here’s how to grow your very own Romaine lettuce at home and enjoy its many benefits. That was awesome.. I love romaine lettuce. Ideally in the early evening to prevent dehydration and reduce transplant shock. Romaine – Comes in a wide variety of choices. Whatever you do to amend the damage to Romaine crops in your garden, don’t resort to pesticides. It shouldn’t be soggy wet. It is quite easy to grow lettuce from seedlings, but for those who want little fuss, it is entirely possible to just buy the lettuce at the grocery store to be regrown. Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. Without further ado, I will get into the act of growing from start to end. Once a lettuce plant bolts, it becomes bitter and unpalatable. If you thought Iceberg lettuce, you aren’t alone. longifolia) is a variety of lettuce that grows in a tall head of sturdy dark green leaves with firm ribs down their centers. With its refreshingly light taste, lettuce (Lactuca) can become bitter-tasting if it is exposed to certain growing conditions. Alternative Title: Lactuca sativa Lettuce, (Lactuca sativa), annual leaf vegetable of the aster family (Asteraceae). Your system might be different. Romaine. So if you aren’t selling them commercially, you can harvest them any time for your own consumption. Many types of romaine lettuce are also heat-tolerant. Romaine Lettuce (Garden Lettuce, Cos Lettuce). Well, you should try it out. Interested to know what is going on my garden? Instead, use natural pest repellents. Thanks for tuning into our channel! As a result, your lettuce leaves look as if they have bullet holes all around. You can either make your own nutrients or purchase proven ready made nutrients specifically for leafy greens. Not really. Although heat-tolerant, Romaine grows best in cooler climates and prefers moisture-rich soil. Planting Romaine Lettuce from a Seed 1 Evaluate your region’s climate and the season you are in. High temperatures induce dormancy in lettuce. Lettuces need this to keep producing new leaves. Created for free using WordPress. Rotate crops. All Rights Reserved. Add 2 to 4 inches of compost to the soil, working it in 6 inches deep. That is the flower stalk and when a lettuce goes into flowering, it is called as Bolting. The plants will need to be protected from the pests that can attack them. Copyright © 2021. You may find that some of the leaves leftover from the last stalk … If you are growing organically, a good compost tea is totally fine. Use floating row cover to protect your seedlings from spring cold and summer heat alike. Will your lettuce grow into a full head? There are many varieties that will mature within a 30-day window. But it gets better. Parris Island Romaine is an heirloom variety that was named after a town on the coast of South Carolina. If all goes well, the seeds will germinate in a couple of days. It is a perfect variety for baby-leaf harvests, but also produces heavy, upright heads that can get … Pulling the plant all the way out of the ground. Treat shot hole disease by pruning infected stems. Primarily, bolting occurs when you plant your lettuce in a warm climate. Once transplanted, lettuce is generally maintenance free. We share our earth with insects and pests. Romaine lettuce is typically ready to harvest 60 days after planting. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled. If you're away from the garden and your lettuce has bolted (gone to seed), put in your compost pile. You can also germinate them using seed starting plugs with excellent results. Lettuce is a cold weather crop. So, keep the soil moist enough. Otherwise, the frost will destroy your yields. Lettuce is a cold weather crop. You can also use moisture meters to determine the percentage of water content. Your lettuce leaves and roots will start sprouting before long. Dont bury the seeds too deep. The mature plant can reach up to 20 inches tall. For year-round harvest, … Romaine or cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Apply fertilizer regularly. Common Name: Romaine Lettuce (Garden Lettuce, Cos Lettuce). You can regrow Romaine lettuce this way, by reusing the plant’s stems. Temperatures reaching above 75° (24° C) will cause the plant to bolt. Before you start, make sure you hit the sweet spot when timing your little indoor harvest. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The heat is 44dgr plus some days. Even with light frost and shorter days, as soon as the soil can be worked you can start planting. Other crops that are sensitive to … They take 70 to 85 days to mature. In a couple of days after transplanting, the plants will really start to pickup. Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa), also called cos lettuce, makes a rather elegant statement in containers with its upright growth habit and narrow leaves. And yet, it also needs a continuous supply of moisture. Your email address will not be published. Romaine lettuce is a type of salad lettuce. Don’t forget to change the water. Of all the lettuce I have tried, Romaine lettuce handles summer very well. My growing system was NFT system yours might vary. Flavor: Sweet and mild. As the plant continues to grow, it will start to flower and before that happens, you will see a talk stalk growing in the center of the plant. This is the best adsense alternative for any type of website (they approve all sites), However, it’s recommended that the seeds are started indoors as they transplant easily and will likely be healthier. They are a crunchy variety of lettuce that grows in cool weather. While Romaine is slowest to bolt, unseasonal hot weather spells will cause it to bolt too. Growing Romaine Lettuce Romaine, also known as cos, forms tall, tight bundles of thick, sweet lettuce leaves. Natural remedies such as soap, diatomaceous earth, and similar tactics can alleviate most problems. How to Plant Romaine. Plant Type: Vegetable Fill Weight (grams): 1 Grows Best In: Sun/Partial Shade Days to Germination: 7-10 Days Days to Maturity: 68 Days Growth Type: Romaine Planting Depth:.25" Seed Spacing: Sow Parris Island Cos Lettuce seeds roughly 8" apart in rows. Romaine lettuce is a variety of lettuce that grows long light to dark green leaves attached to a thick stem. Position the dish near the source of natural light or under the grow light. It is also popularly known is Cos lettuce due to its origin in an Island called “Cos” . The name “romaine” suggests that the lettuce might have originated in Rome. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Romaine lettuce is great on burgers, tacos, and in salads. Many leaf lettuce varieties are prone to bolting when exposed to too much sun. I have netting over my small garden but everything are battling, tomatoes and green pepper are doing well, but the Broccoli and green beans are really suffering also the lettuce. How was, Luffa aegyptica aka Sponge gourd aka Luffa gourd. Apply ¼ cup of a 21-0-0 nitrogen fertilizer on every 10-foot row of the lettuce. Unlike most lettuces, it is tolerant of heat. Keep the soil well-drained to keep aphids at bay or physically remove them by using a hose. In India, we have two seasons, Summer and Hot Summer. Use slug traps or diatomaceous earth to protect your Romaine from slugs. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer blend before planting your lettuce. It is full of antioxidants as well as trace minerals and fiber. Anticipate pests and be prepared. Here’s how to address the most common problems with Romaine: Romaine can be picked whenever it’s big enough to use. Older seeds will not germinate. I think it tastes wonderful, it is a sturdier type of lettuce, and is my preference when trying to grow lettuce from lettuce. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Preparation Ideas: Ideal for Caesar salads or tossed with other greens. There are many stray guests in your garden that may prey on your crispy, sweet Romaine. Use regular light bulbs or LED lights. Do this at any time during the plant’s growth, many gardeners will harvest baby romaine this way. Make sure your plants have space to grow. In North America, romaine is sold as whole heads or as “hearts” that have had the outer leaves removed and are often packaged together. You can blame this odd growth on this situation, which also impacts the quality of your lettuce. Water lettuce every four to five days during drought periods. When choosing a fertilizer, choose a label with closely matching hyphenated numbers. Why Lettuce Has Flowers. I see you don’t monetize gardeningchannel.com, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn extra bucks every month with new monetization method. Yet, take extra caution if your area is prone to spells of high and low temperatures or unrelenting winds. Still, this is not the happiest solution. Ever thought of putting kitchen leftovers to good use? It can tolerate some heat, but not as much as the leaf lettuce. Romaine grows well in nearly all types of gardens if given enough sunlight and good soil. Lettuce seeds needs light to germinate. One lettuce head planted will give you enough ingredients for a small salad bowl serving. Romaine lettuce is a hardy plant that can tolerate light frosts and high heat, but it originated in the Mediterranean, and grows best in mild, damp climates and seasons. Get your seeds from a good seed company. In comparison to other types of lettuce, Romaine is considered more heat-tolerant. Plant your romaine lettuce every week or two to get. Just repeat the process keeping in mind the following.