In summer, lettuce plants characterize the garden, which have developed a pyramid-shaped inflorescence. This is often normal during this time of year. When it comes to premature bolting, temperature or incorrect care measures play a role.
If the lettuce blooms anyway, seeds can be harvested for next year
About the growth
Lactuca sativa is the garden lettuce, of which there are numerous forms and varieties. They mainly grow as annuals and develop a rosette of leaves in spring. Since the plants belong to the long-day plants, flowering occurs after the day length has exceeded a critical value of twelve hours. When grown in spring and in optimal conditions, the crop will go through the entire growing season and flower naturally.
Why shoot salads
Temperatures are crucial for normal growth. Brief periods of cold during the youth phase, when the thermometer falls below ten degrees, suggest to the little plants that winter is imminent. If the plants get the impression that the conditions for further survival are getting worse, they react by developing flowers prematurely. The intention behind this is to produce a large number of viable seeds as quickly as possible.
Negative influencing factors:
- Plants are too close together in the bed
- Soil is too dry
- Temperatures are too warm or cold
- Fungal or insect infestation on the roots
You can do that
Protect the young plants from night frosts and cold periods when they are young. Ideally, the plants should only come into the bed after the ice saints in mid-May, with the exact sowing date depending on the variety chosen. If spring ensures consistently warm conditions, the risk of premature bolting is relatively low. Pre-grown plants, which you can buy in the garden center, were grown under optimal conditions. As a rule, these lettuce plants do not shoot.
Provide optimal site conditions
Sandy soils warm up faster after winter than heavy soils. However, both extremes are unsuitable for lettuce, as they prefer a loose and moderately nutrient-rich substrate with good water storage capacity. Fresh and humus-rich conditions in a well-aerated soil are optimal. As far as the light conditions are concerned, the garden lettuce feels at home in a sunny to partially shaded location.
care properly
Lettuce leaves contain 95 percent water, so the water requirement during the growth phase is very high. Be sure to water regularly to keep the soil from drying out. In dry periods, irrigation is much more important. After basic fertilization in spring, lettuce does not require any further nutrient supply. Hoe the bed regularly to improve aeration, water drainage and mineralization. At the same time, this measure ensures that weeds have no chance.
Things to know about the harvest
As soon as the leaves are crisp and have a firm texture, they are ready to be eaten. Lettuce can be harvested throughout the growing season if you leave the heart intact. When inflorescences develop, the lettuce leaves exhibit a bitter taste.