Lactuca sativa (Lettuce)

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Plant description

Lettuce is an annual plant, and is a popular plant in the home garden as a leaf vegetable. It is easily cultivated, though it can be subject to some pests and diseases. There are many different forms and cultivars of lettuce. The three most common types are cos or romaine, leaf, and head lettuce. They come in a range of leaf colours and shapes. Lettuce can be grown in the garden or in containers.

Lettuce grows best in cooler conditions in full or part sun, in free draining, but moist soils. Hot weather and drying out will prompt lettuce to bolt to seed and to become bitter. Providing partial shade in hot weather can slow down the bolting process, as well as helping to slow water loss from the plants. It is best not to grow lettuce in crowded conditions, as this will encourage pests and disease. Mulching will help to keep soil moisture constant and will control weeds. Soil rich in organic matter helps to hold enough food and water for lettuce plants, as they are shallow rooted.

Lettuce have a variety of pests and diseases, but good cultivation will help to keep them to a minimum. Regular watering is needed, and frequent fertilising with a high nitrogen fertiliser to keep leaf production going. Fast growing produces the best tasting lettuce.  Daily watering may be needed in the hottest weather.

Lettuce seed can be sown direct where it is to grow, or started in seed flats and transplanted.

Lettuce is a good source of Vitamin A and potassium, and some fibre. Lettuce produces a milky substance in the leaves, which is reputed to be sleep inducing.

Read more about lettuce here.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: Yellow
Flowering season: spring summer autumn winter

Plant size

Maximum height: 0.3 metres
Minimum height: 0.15 metres

Maximum width: not specified
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Medium frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Not specified.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: moist, well-drained.

Clay: moist, well-drained.

Sand: moist.

Soil pH: 6.0-6.8

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, fungal rots

Pests

Slugs and snails, caterpillars, aphids, thrips, nematodes, cutworms

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: All.

Types of fertiliser: High nitrogen fertilisers.

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