Don’t forget to change the water. Seeing aphids munching on the lettuce leaves is also not an unusual sight. If you grow your Romaine in sandy or clay soil add compost to improve soil quality. But it gets better. longifolia) is a variety of lettuce that grows in a tall head of sturdy dark green leaves with firm ribs down their centers. Much like other salad greens, Romaine does well in soils with neutral pH ranging between 6.0 and 6.5. Early spring is the best time for planting lettuce. “Bolting is the term applied to vegetable crops when they prematurely run to seed, usually making them unusable. An addition of 16-16-8 fertilizer will work best. Use slug traps or diatomaceous earth to protect your Romaine from slugs. Providing plants with plenty of water and good soil will speed growing. So, keep the soil moist enough. The fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene content makes romaine an especially good vegetable for heart health. Picking the whole head is quicker and is mostly preferred when you are into commercial production. You can also germinate them using seed starting plugs with excellent results. I love romaine lettuce. You should have your lettuce all grown within the fortnight. They’ll make it if the temperature dips below zero. If you are growing organically, a good compost tea is totally fine. Romaine lettuce is a convenient plant to buy for the garden, and one of those edible greens that thrives in a container. Plant more bolt-resistant varieties into the summer season. Common Name: Romaine Lettuce (Garden Lettuce, Cos Lettuce). A dieter’s dream, romaine lettuce has about 8 calories and 1 to 2 grams of carbohydrates per cup.. You can either make your own nutrients or purchase proven ready made nutrients specifically for leafy greens. You may find that some of the leaves leftover from the last stalk … Preparing the Site. Many types of romaine lettuce are also heat-tolerant. You’ll just regrow a few leaves 2 … I think it tastes wonderful, it is a sturdier type of lettuce, and is my preference when trying to grow lettuce from lettuce. Romaine can also be harvested leaf by leaf to extend the harvest. However, romaine packs a larger amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients than other popular types of lettuce. Let’s take a look at the different types of lettuce and some excellent varieties in each category! 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. Use regular light bulbs or LED lights. Before you start, make sure you hit the sweet spot when timing your little indoor harvest. If all goes well, the seeds will germinate in a couple of days. You can transplant the seedlings as soon as the soil is workable. For example, get a 5-5-5 or a 10-10-10 blend. Romaine grows in tall heads of sturdy leaves and is very heat tolerant. The only problem is that in a garden you are growing lettuce for its leaves. Ideally in the early evening to prevent dehydration and reduce transplant shock. For a continuous supply of leafy lettuce throughout the growing season, try planting romaine lettuce every couple weeks. A no nonsense commercial Hydroponics Training In India. Follow me on Instagram, […] Growing Romaine Lettuce or Cos Lettuce in Hydroponics | Hydroponics farming in India […], Your email address will not be published. Lettuce is generally a rich source of vitamins K and A, though the nutritional quality varies, depending on the variety. Don't forget to hit like or subscribe!This video is part two of a series for how to grow romaine lettuce from scraps. Romaine spreads out from a tight center instead of forming a ball or remaining loosely disconnected. Feed in Moderation. The Causes of Bitter Lettuce Sap. My growing system was NFT system yours might vary. Bolting lettuce plants become bitter and sharp in taste as they shoot towards the sky. Treat the soil with lime to keep it more alkaline. This romaine lettuce has been the go-to variety for market farmers and backyard gardeners for over 50 years. Take some moist seed starting medium (a fancy name for plain cocopeat;). You call it Romaine or Cos, this lettuce is one of the best when it comes to nutrition and ease of growing. On the left is a full grown leaf from a store bought romaine lettuce, on the right are 12 leaves regrown from a romaine stem after about 4 weeks Unlike regrowing green onionsor regrowing celery, you won’t be able to regrow a full head of lettuce. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer blend before planting your lettuce. Some of them can be cultivated and harvested as microgreens. Growing Romaine Lettuce Romaine, also known as cos, forms tall, tight bundles of thick, sweet lettuce leaves. South Africa is south of the equator, so the seasons are reversed. There are many stray guests in your garden that may prey on your crispy, sweet Romaine. If you thought Iceberg lettuce, you aren’t alone. I love harvesting a little bit of lettuce every night, just enough for my meal. If you have sown the seeds in a plug or a foam cube, then transplanting is a piece of cake. That is the flower stalk and when a lettuce goes into flowering, it is called as Bolting. It is full of antioxidants as well as trace minerals and fiber. In general, romaine cultivars are among the most heat tolerant lettuce varieties. You can also use moisture meters to determine the percentage of water content. Yet, take extra caution if your area is prone to spells of high and low temperatures or unrelenting winds. Once transplanted, lettuce is generally maintenance free. Plucking individual leaves is good when it is for own consumption and there aren’t too many plants. Romaine Lettuce (Garden Lettuce, Cos Lettuce). Many leaf lettuce varieties are prone to bolting when exposed to too much sun. High temperatures induce dormancy in lettuce. I have cut them down and got a small crop. Nutritionally, Romaine has all of the benefits of most green, leafy foods. For this experiment to work, you need to shop at a local farmer’s market for fresh produce. Here’s how to address the most common problems with Romaine: Romaine can be picked whenever it’s big enough to use. Temperatures reaching above 75° (24° C) will cause the plant to bolt. Well, you should try it out. That doesn’t mean you need to wait for 25 days. for more details simply search in gooogle: murgrabia’s tools, Your email address will not be published. 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. Do this at any time during the plant’s growth, many gardeners will harvest baby romaine this way. It’s a fungus that causes the outer leaves to develop soggy tan spots that gradually fall out. Mulch your soil to keep moisture levels in check. No sign of good rain,we are in a terrible drought in South Africa. Rotate crops. So, here are a few ideas to help you prevent bolting: Romaine requires 65-70 days to mature from seed. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Alternative Title: Lactuca sativa Lettuce, (Lactuca sativa), annual leaf vegetable of the aster family (Asteraceae). It is also popularly known is Cos lettuce due to its origin in an Island called “Cos”. What ever your system is the growing times shouldn’t change much. How can I grow Romaine lettuce to look like commercial grown Romaine? A cold spell or changes in day length initiates this behavior. So if you aren’t selling them commercially, you can harvest them any time for your own consumption. Usable size means about 2" long for baby lettuce, and 5-6" long for more mature lettuce. 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. It is also popularly known is Cos lettuce due to its origin in an Island called “Cos” . How was, Luffa aegyptica aka Sponge gourd aka Luffa gourd. Here’s how to prepare your ground bed for next season of Romaine: To make sure you do all you can, add an extra fertilizer four weeks after planting. It is a short term crop and much easier to handle. We share our earth with insects and pests. 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. Plant your romaine lettuce every week or two to get. Do it every one or two days. Make sure to amend the soil before spring planting so you allow the additive to activate in the soil. Romaine. The faster Romaine grows, the crisper the leaves. To keep rabbits out of the way, use floating row covers, chicken wire, or grow Romaine in elevated containers. Invest in good quality of seeds, you will thank me later. Here are my recommended options for lettuce: 1. In comparison to other types of lettuce, Romaine is considered more heat-tolerant. Romaine lettuce is a type of salad lettuce. Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa), also called cos lettuce, makes a rather elegant statement in containers with its upright growth habit and narrow leaves. The leaves will absorb them and quickly get contaminated. Will your lettuce grow into a full head? Doing this when the plant is in its baby stage, at about 25 days, is often more successful than waiting for a mature head. Make sure your plants have space to grow. Some of the most heat-resistant Romaine varieties are ‘Sparx’, ‘Jericho’, and ‘Coastal Star’. Your lettuce leaves and roots will start sprouting before long. Start springtime crops from lettuce seeds indoors to prevent bolting. It can tolerate some heat, but not as much as the leaf lettuce. It will promote germination and prevent Romaine from tasting bitter. A good potting mix will make lettuces grow very well. Use floating row cover to protect your seedlings from spring cold and summer heat alike. One lettuce head planted will give you enough ingredients for a small salad bowl serving. How to Plant Romaine. Romaine – Comes in a wide variety of choices. The leaves of the lettuce get bitter as they mature and grow. It shouldn’t be soggy wet. Planting Romaine Lettuce from a Seed 1 Evaluate your region’s climate and the season you are in. There is one thing you need to pay attention when you sow lettuce seeds. Got featured in The Better India magazine. If you leave your lettuce stem growing for too long, it will become spindly and bitter. Ever thought of putting kitchen leftovers to good use? Family Name: Asteraceae/Compositae. They take 70 to 85 days to mature. Grocery store lettuce may never grow for you. There are dozens of lettuce types, and they fall into five categories: Batavian, butterhead, iceberg, loose leaf, and romaine. In North America, romaine is sold as whole heads or as “hearts” that have had the outer leaves removed and are often packaged together. Romaine or cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. To make the most of your fall crops, time maturity before lower temperatures kick in. The mature plant can reach up to 20 inches tall. It all starts from the seeds. The extended growing season works because romaine is able to grow without bolting in the warm summers. All Rights Reserved. The heat is 44dgr plus some days. Nutritionally, Romaine has all of the benefits of most green, leafy foods. Well-fertilized soil will mean faster-growing (and thus crisper) plants. It gets its name from the Romans, who likely imported it from either Greece or (more likely) Arabia. Water regularly and often, adjusting to your climate and conditions. Required fields are marked *. Cut the head off with a sharp knife, leaving about 1-2 inches of stem sticking out of the soil. When to Plant Lettuce. If you are growing hydroponically, then there are multiple options to choose from. Home gardeners should strongly consider pulling the plant up. Now i have few more minutes  to waste on Instagram :)). Learn how your comment data is processed. The typical candidates are slugs, rabbits, and other rodents. You can use a general purpose fertilizer for feeding your romaine lettuce plants. When you get germination like above, it is as joyous as getting 100% score in an examination. S take a look at the moment and our vegetables are really suffering center leaves less. To germinate in a warm climate indoors as they transplant easily and will not romaine lettuce flower lettuces, it exposed. 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