Head lettuce Dynamite

Lactuca sativa - Dynamite

Sowing: in greenhouse from February, outdoor from mid-May to early July

Germination: 7-14 days at 10-15°C

Spacing: 25 x 30 cm

Harvest: from late April to October

Lettuce is an annual plant that was bred from wild lettuce. It is grown in both head and leaf forms with smooth, rounded leaves of light green colour. There are several types of this vegetable: romaine lettuce, semi-romaine lettuce, butterhead lettuce, leaf lettuce and finally iceberg lettuce.

Head lettuce and leaf lettuce are the most commonly grown. According to cultivation, it can be divided into early, summer, for greenhouse planting, heated greenhouses, outdoor, etc. Iceberg lettuce has firm, crisp leaves, with heads resembling cabbage. Romaine lettuce resembles Chinese cabbage. It is often considered by gourmets to be the tastiest lettuce. Iceberg lettuce is valued for its crispness and firm head. It is characterised by excellent taste and outstanding crispness.

Lettuce contains 10-15% protein, 15-27% carbohydrates, 3-6% fat, 9-12% fibre. Among vitamins, it has high content of C, E, A and PP, and among minerals we must not overlook the content of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine and magnesium. It has minimal calories, making it suitable for weight-loss diets. Head lettuce is suitable for more classic preparation with sweet and sour dressing, or with fried bacon. Romaine lettuce can also be braised with meat, used in wraps, stuffing, risotto, etc. The possibilities are endless.

How to Grow Lettuce

• A sunny location is suitable. Water regularly during growth - preferably in smaller doses, more frequently. Regular weeding of the bed is necessary. Never grow plants in the same location for more than 2 years in a row. Mulching lettuce with organic material is advisable. It prevents weed growth, maintains moisture and lower temperature during hot months.

• Spring varieties are sown in February in hotbeds. In March or April, transplant them at spacing of 20-25×20-25cm.

  Summer varieties are sown directly in beds in April, final plant spacing should be 25×30 cm.

  Autumn varieties are sown directly in beds in August, final plant spacing should be 25×25 cm.

  Overwintering varieties are sown in October directly in beds.

  Sow seeds directly into soil approximately 1 cm below surface. Pre-soaking the seeds is advisable. After emergence, plants must be thinned to the above-mentioned spacing. When thinning, avoid covering the lettuce heart.

• Lettuce requires well-drained soil with sufficient readily available nutrients. Soils should be lighter and well-worked.

• Beds designated for growing lettuce must be well prepared for cultivation. When preparing beds, work 3-5 kg of compost/m2 into the soil, lime with 3 kg of limestone/m2 and add 1.8 P2O5/m2 and 14g K2O/m2.

  When fertilising, it is important to be careful about nitrogen over-fertilisation. Dangerous nitrates then accumulate in the leaves. Do not fertilise beds with farmyard manure!

• Bacterial lettuce rot initially manifests as sharply defined, dark blackening spots. The first lower leaves that are on the ground are affected.

  Calcium deficiency causes marginal leaf necrosis, where leaves gradually brown and subsequently die. The outer leaves are most commonly affected, but leaves hidden inside formed heads can also be damaged. Treat with Champion 50 WP and perform soil disinfection.

  Lettuce downy mildew manifests mainly on older leaves, where light green to yellow-green spots of various sizes appear, often bordered by veins. Spots gradually enlarge, dry out and necrotise. Treat with Rovral 50 WP or Rovral FLO.

  Plants are also affected by grey mould and may be eaten by slugs or infested by aphids.

  Treat with appropriate fungicides. It is important to observe the pre-harvest interval before consumption.

• Leaf lettuce is harvested as early as 7 weeks after sowing. Head lettuce after 10-11 weeks and romaine lettuce one week longer. Head, butterhead, romaine and curly lettuce must be harvested whole once they reach the desired size.