Picking lettuce?

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Jan 04, 2008

I'm growing lettuce for the first time ever this winter, and my Jericho lettuce is producing well. For some reason, though, I thought it was a leaf lettuce instead of a head lettuce, and I've been picking the outer leaves as they got big. I just recently realized it's actually a head lettuce--oops! So will it continue to produce? Can I keep on treating it as a "cut and come again" lettuce, or have I pretty much shot myself in the foot on this one? I just planted another succession planting, so there should be more later as well.

Thanks for any help on this one!

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 04, 2008

It's a romaine!

I've heard a lot of good things about this lettuce and its definitely on my seed order form for this year.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Jan 04, 2008

Taste has been absolutely fabulous (which is why I've been picking it--couldn't resist!) I'm eager to see how it does in our high heat--we usually hit 100F before the end of May and I'd love a lettuce that doesn't bolt immediately.

So what's going to happen with the heads that I've been picking the outer leaves off of? Will they still keep growing, or should I just cut them off and start all over again (trying to restrain myself so that heads have a chance to form?)

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 04, 2008

I see no reason why it shouldn't keep growing. Lettuce grows from the inside out, so just picking the outer leaves shouldn't bother it much. You may even get more tender leaves that way.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Jan 04, 2008

Excellent--thanks!

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doccat5 Fredericksburg, VA(Zone 7b) Jan 05, 2008

You keep on picking and it will keep on producing. If it begins to look a little stressed, consider a side dressing of compost tea or liquid fertilizer to give it a boost.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Jan 05, 2008

Can do--thanks, doccat5!

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gerapan panama, Panama Jan 08, 2008

I plant "Chinese lettuce" in plastic trays, water them about 8:00 am and also around 4:00 PM. When the leafes are about 6 to 8 inches I cut them with scissors leaving the "bare center". Water these with 20-20 and in about a week, new leaves start to sprout. This usually goes on for about 6 pickings. By then I have new plants and discard the old ones. Oh, my weather is usually between 86 to 92 degrees all year round.

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Jan 08, 2008

What is "Chinese lettuce"?

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14 Debary, FL Feb 09, 2008

Hello,

I was just wondering if anybody has grown kale?

If so please write back on this fourm.

Thank you.

Allie14

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