Author Topic: Leggy Lettuce (Read 6725 times)

Laney · « **on:** March 20, 2007, 13:24:54 »

I've not grown lettuce before, and my seedlings have been doing great up until probably yesterday. They have got far too leggy and are starting to flop over.

They've been growing in my lounge, which is southfacing, and is unfortunately the only room in the whole house that gets any sunlight at all. I could move them away from the window, out of direct sunlight. Would this help?

I have no cold frame/greenhouse/garage/porch etc. It's lounge or outside I'm afraid. :-\

As you can see, my leeks next door are doing fine!

Tee Gee · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2007, 13:39:08 »

They look pretty normal to me.

What I do at that stage is prick out a dozen or so into 3" pots and grow them on in a bit cooler place e.g. 40°-50°F (4°-10°C)

My reasoning behind this is; transplanted lettuce bolt (go to seed) much quicker than insitu sown seed so when I plant out these dozen plants I also sow some seed in a row along side, followed by additional sowing every two or three weeks from then on.

By the time I have eaten the first dozen the next batch is ready.

n.b When pricking out sink them into the compost up to the seed leaves!

Rosyred · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2007, 14:42:54 »

I've grown a winter lettuce and aren't much bigger then yours aren't really growing.

Blue Bird · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2007, 17:45:10 »

Hi Laney mine look like your as well
was beginning to panic so glad you asked the question

BB :D

Mouseski · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2007, 18:40:01 »

SNAP! Min look exactly the same and they are in a greenhouse (unheated)>

Don't know what the solution is - sorry hopefully somebody out there knows what to do ;)

Laney · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2007, 18:42:42 »

Quote from: Tee Gee on March 20, 2007, 13:39:08

n.b When pricking out sink them into the compost up to the seed leaves!

Ah ha! That is what I wanted to hear. I thought it may be the case, but didn't want to just do it without checking first.

I'm glad that my lettuce are normal and not freaks of nature. ;D

tim · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2007, 19:19:35 »

I think that TeeGee is being comfortingly generous.

Yes - you can give almost everything the kiss of life but, I hope that he will agree, that is NOT what we are aiming for. I know that many don't have more than a windowsill but, if it were me:

1. First, brilliant germination - wish mine always went like that!!
2. Then, if you are going to have to prick out/pot up anyway, start in a tray, rather than wasting ground space & compost with cells.
3. Do only hold the leaves when potting up.
4. Do pre-moisten the pot compost.
5. The potted up plants are going to need hardening off, so they have to go outside for a week or two. So the seed might have been sown there first - under cloche ?
6. If affordable, a bit of artificial light would help a lot.
7. This is NOT meant to be depressive - just thoughts. You're way ahead of me!!

Tee Gee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2007, 19:35:43 »

Quote

I think that TeeGee is being comfortingly generous.

Its my bedside manner Tim ;)

1. First, brilliant germination - wish mine always went like that!!

I agree with you Tim she is away ahead of me as well

2. Then, if you are going to have to prick out/pot up anyway, start in a tray, rather than wasting ground space & compost with cells.

I agree again with you Tim in fact I often sow my first batch in a 3" pot as I only usually want a dozen or so.

This was the point I was really making i.e. I guess there are 40-50 seedlings in that tray and potting up that many would be a bit uneconomical in my book hence me saying around a dozen.

This also makes the aftercare you described much easier as well.

No point in growing something that you might not get round to using.

Laney · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2007, 20:35:01 »

Quote from: Tee Gee on March 20, 2007, 19:35:43

No point in growing something that you might not get round to using.

Normally, I'd agree with you. For example, I'm only growing 3 swedes, and 8 sweetcorn plants this year.

However, my partner and I are currently on diets(getting married in 4 months...eek!), and are going through two heads of lettuce a day. There will be no waste in this house when it comes down to lettuce. LOL ;D

tim · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2007, 06:35:28 »

Congratulations!!

caroline7758 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:15:20 »

Sorry to ask a daft question TG, but do you prick out a dozen into one 3" pot? I've got a trayful that need pricking out & was wondering how much space to give them.

Tee Gee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:33:48 »

Quote

I've got a trayful that need pricking out & was wondering how much space to give them.

Personally I put one to a 3" pot, but as I mentioned I only transplant a dozen or sow then get on with successional sowing.

In your case I would suggest you get some inserts as shown in Laneys pictures. I would go for the 24 cell tray insert (the black one with the leeks)

I hope that answers your question.

Whilst I am on about trays; Tim gave me this idea when he mentioned window sill growing and lack of space.

This is how I utilise my heated space;' http://tinyurl.com/2fbpsj

The pictures were taken this morning so it will also give you an idea as to where I am at with my sowing.

caroline7758 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2007, 18:50:15 »

Thanks for that, TG.

Conker · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2007, 07:54:24 »

Ermm...my lettuces look like a two inch long piece of cotton and have two leaves stuck at the top. Are they supposed to look like that?? :-\ I've never grown lettuces before and have absolutely no idea! ;D

They are in plug trays and are on the dining room table. Quite cool but still a heated room. Do I need to get them outside during the day?

Thanks

Bob

Tee Gee · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2007, 16:02:39 »

Quote

and have two leaves stuck at the top.

Do you water overhead? sounds like you do if so the leaves have sweated together because the haven't had a chance to open & dry.

Quote

They are in plug trays and are on the dining room table.

How big are the plugs?

Quote

Do I need to get them outside during the day?

Yes!!

tim · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2007, 17:47:24 »

As the Master says - yes - NOW!!

As long as possible, so long as there's no frost or wind around.

Sorry to bore some, but this is how they should look. One lot with poor light, t'other with artificial.

RSJK · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2007, 18:50:55 »

I planted 240 lettuce plants out today they were sown the end of Feb in a cold greenhouse and covered with fleece, they were all sown in individual cells (40 per tray) i had 100% germination with them which supprised me. Got them covered with fleece out doors to keep them a few degrees warmer.

tim · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2007, 19:01:22 »

You keep rabbits??

RSJK · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2007, 19:15:23 »

No Tim, I am lucky that a local shopkeeper buys my produce of me thats why I grow so much, well along with enjoying growing veg aswell. Do not think that I can get the market gardener side out of my system, never know one day all these old skills might be needed again with a bit of luck.

Conker · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:09:59 »

Thanks Tee Gee and Tim. They are now outside enjoying some lovely warmth in a lovely spring day here!

Cor, it's like having more kids to look after... ;)

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Author Topic: Leggy Lettuce (Read 6725 times)