Growing Lettuce from Seed (Adriana)
This page is about Growing Lettuce from Seed. For this purpose we will use the Adriana show at the right. The Adriana is larger that Ermosa butterhead lettuce with a broader disease package. Heads are full and dense with good taste. Good tolerance to tipburn, heat, and bolting, with resistance to downy mildew races 1-16 and LMV. Days to Maturity: 48
Butterhead lettuce is hardy and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked. It is a cool weather crop and makes its best growth at temperatures of 60-65°F. Careful variety selection is important for hot weather crops. For best germination results sow at soil temperatures of 68°F or lower. The priming process in pelleted lettuce seeds broadens the temperature range in which the seeds will germinate, overcoming some of a lot's thermal dormancy. TRANSPLANTING: Sow in flats, 4 seeds/in., or in 3/4" plug trays, barely covering seeds with fine vermiculite, 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Shade the flats on sunny, warm days if necessary to keep the soil surface cool, below 75°F, until germination. If sowing into flats, transplant 1-2" apart into flats, pots, or cell-type containers about 2 weeks later. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before planting outdoors. Properly hardened transplants can survive temperatures as low as 20°F. Seeds germinate even at low, 40°F, soil temperature, but poorly above 75-85°F depending on the variety and seed lot. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8", and firm soil gently. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture, and for even germination. For full-size heads from direct seeding and growth in mild temperatures; subtract 10-14 days if transplanting. Note: maturity can be 3 or more weeks later in cool weather and up to 1 week earlier in hot weather.
9-27-09 First picture below is an update of our outdoor plant. The second picture shows the seeds planted indoors. We will track these as they grow. Once they are about three inches tall, we will plant the entire plant into a larger pot. I will also have to do any thinning that needs to be done. Our plants are the ones by the sticks. The rest are weeds that I will be pulling up shortly.
Lettuce seeds are very small and hard to work with so I had to use a pair of tweezers in order to plant the non-pelleted seeds. Sometimes seeds can be bought that have been pelletized. This is the process of adding an organic coating to the each seed in order to help work with it as it is planted. Pelleted seeds usually cost more, but they are well worth the extra money. I am using what is called Dot Pots for growing lettuce from seed. Dot Pots are New! The world’s only 100% organic, OMRI-listed biodegradable pots. DOT Pots™ are created using only two natural ingredients. 80% wood fiber, 20% peat moss and nothing else. Binding is achieved through a patented technology. No glues. No waste. No hassles.
Learn more about growing lettuce from seed at Growing Lettuce. Your Garden StoryDo you have a garden story to share with us? Thank you for your visit.
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