What Are The Stages Of Lettuce Growth?

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 does lettuce first sprouting look like?

What Do Lettuce Seedlings Look Like? When they first sprout, lettuce seedlings are very small, and have two rounded and slightly oblong shaped leaves. Those are called the “seed leaves”. All of the ones that form after that are called the “true leaves”, and they look exactly like the mature ones – only much tinier.

How many weeks does it take lettuce to grow?

seven to eight weeks
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 do you know when lettuce is fully grown?

As your plants grow, look for signs of maturity, usually that the head feels firm and filled out. In spring, harvest before the weather becomes too hot, usually when temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Warm temperatures can make the lettuce head mushy and the leaves taste bitter.

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 often should lettuce be watered?

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.

Does lettuce need sun or shade?

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.

How long does a head of lettuce last?

While it will vary from one head of lettuce to another, when properly stored, leafy greens should stay fresh and crisp for 7 to 10 days. A whole head of lettuce will typically last longer than individual greens, especially tightly bound heads of lettuce, such as iceberg and endive.

Will lettuce regrow after cutting?

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 many times can you regrow lettuce?

So, as long as you’re staying within their optimal growing conditions, you can harvest from lettuce at least three or four times each.

What is the best time of day to pick lettuce?

Morning
Morning is the best time for the harvest as heads will be at their freshest. Learning how to pick lettuce using these guidelines allows the vegetable to be harvested at the peak of freshness. Fresh, homegrown lettuce may be washed with cool water and refrigerated after excess water is shaken off.

How do you grow lettuce year round?

To harvest high-quality salad greens almost every month of the year, you need to maintain a ready supply of young transplants. The only way to do it is to sow a pinch or two of seeds every week, either indoors or out. Start seeds indoors when it’s either too cold or too hot outdoors.

Can you grow lettuce in summer?

You can grow lettuce throughout the summer without bolting with a little knowledge and a tiny bit of preparation. Imagine serving your own fresh-harvested, garden-grown lettuce throughout the summer!

What does Overwatered lettuce look like?

Another indicator of overwatering your lettuce plant is browning leaves. If the leaves are brown and wilting, and the soil is wet, you’re likely overwatering. Brown leaves can also be a sign of underwatering, so before you add more water be sure to check the soil.

What fertilizer is best for lettuce?

Any balanced, all-purpose fertilizer will suffice for lettuce, and any that have more nitrogen (higher N value in the NPK numbers) will promote faster, more lush growth. There aren’t really any “lettuce fertilizers” on the market in the same way that there are tomato fertilizers or grass fertilizers.

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. When to harvest lettuce this way? As soon as the lettuce leaves reach a couple of inches in length, you can begin harvesting “baby lettuce.”

Why is my leaf 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.

What lettuce is cut and come again?

They are often called cut-and-come-again lettuces. Cutting lettuces are mostly nonheading leaf varieties from two groups, Grand Rapids and oakleaf. The Grand Rapids group produces broad, crinkled, and frilly leaves, while the oakleaf varieties have flatter and distinctively lobed leaves.

What month do you plant lettuce?

Lettuce is a cool weather crop and is best grown in spring and fall. The seeds germinate in temperatures as low as 40 F (4 C) but its ideal germination and growing temperature is between 60 and 65 F (16 to 18 C).

How late can you plant lettuce?

If you are buying transplants (small plants) from a garden center or nursery, you may plant between 2 weeks before your last spring frost to 2 weeks after your last spring frost. In most regions, it’s possible to plant another crop of lettuce in the fall or even early winter.

How tall does lettuce grow?

As a cut-and-come-again vegetable, cutting the first leaves from the plants encourages new growth, until they reach their maximum size of about 8 inches and weigh about 6 to 12 ounces. Because of its short growing season, leaf lettuce can be grown throughout the spring, early and late summer and early to late fall.