In summer, lettuce plants that have developed pyramid-shaped inflorescences dominate the garden. This is often normal during this time of year. When premature bolting occurs, temperature or incorrect care measures play a role.
Why is the lettuce sprouting in the garden?
Lettuce sprouts when it is exposed to a temperature fluctuation, the soil is too dry, or the plant experiences stress from insect or fungal attack. To prevent bolting, provide protection from the cold, water regularly and maintain optimal site conditions.
About growth
Behind Lactuca sativa is the garden lettuce, of which there are numerous forms and varieties. They grow mainly as annuals and develop a rosette of leaves in spring. Since the plants are long-day plants, flowers form after the day length has exceeded a critical value of twelve hours. When grown in spring and under optimal conditions, the crop goes through the entire growing season and flowers naturally.
Why do salads shoot
The temperatures are crucial for normal growth. Short periods of cold during the youth phase, in which the thermometer drops below ten degrees, suggest to the plants that winter is approaching. If the plants get the impression that the conditions for continued survival are becoming 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 this
Protect young plants from night frosts and cold periods during their youth phase. Ideally, the plants only come into the bed after the Ice Saints in mid-May, although the exact sowing date depends on the variety chosen. If spring ensures consistently warm conditions, the risk of premature bolting is relatively low. Plants that you can buy in the garden center have been grown under optimal conditions. These lettuce plants generally do not shoot.
Provide optimal location conditions
Sandy soils warm up more quickly after winter than heavy soils. However, both extremes are unsuitable for lettuce because it prefers a loose and moderately nutrient-rich substrate with good water storage capacity. Fresh and humus-rich conditions in well-aerated soil are optimal. As far as lighting conditions are concerned, the garden lettuce feels comfortable in a sunny to partially shaded location.
Care properly
Salad leaves contain 95 percent water, so the water requirement during the growth phase is very high. Make sure to water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out. During dry periods, irrigation becomes significantly more important. After basic fertilization in spring, lettuce does not require any further nutrient supply. Hoe the bed regularly to improve aeration, drainage and mineralization. At the same time, this measure ensures that weeds have no chance.
What you need to know about harvesting
As soon as the leaves are crisp and have a firm texture, they are ready to eat. Lettuce can be harvested throughout the growing season if you leave the heart intact. When inflorescences develop, the lettuce leaves have a bitter taste.
