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| This year I bought 2 stock tanks and filled them with our compost and grew alot of green Romaine and red Romaine and spinach and other things. I bought the romaine seedlings at Walmart. They grew very well, but they are so limp. They seem to rapidly dehydrate if you pick them and leave them out for just a few minutes. And the texture isn't that great. I guess I'm more into crispy lettuces. I'm in zone 5. Are there better types to grow in the midwest that would be crispier? I like the spinach, but would definitely like my lettuce more substantial. Maybe that's the way it's always going to be with loose leaf? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Romaine is usually noted at one of the most crispy leaf lettuce varieties there is. Difficult to find one that is firmer ribbed or more crisp IME. So was there a watering issue? Lettuce does like a lot of water on a regular basis since it is 90% water to begin with and straight compost drains quite rapidly so that might have contributed to the problem too.. I grow both red and green romaines every year and never find either of them to be limp unless they are under-watered. Did you try soaking them in some cold water for a few minutes before serving. That will usually crisp up most any limp lettuce variety. Dave |
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| I like Skyphos red butterhead lettuce. It is crispy and non bitter. |
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- Posted by theforgottenone1013 5b/6a MI (My Page) on Sun, Jun 8, 14 at 18:44
| After harvesting, immediately rinsing them in cold water helps greatly with keeping them crisp. Gets rid of the "field heat" that causes them to go limp. And they can go limp quick when it's warm outside (at least this has been my experience with lettuce; regardless of variety). Rodney |
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| I'm wondering what time of day you're picking it. I don't grow lettuce, but I know green beans will limp on me if I pick them in the heat. If I get them in the morning when the weather is still cool, they don't do that. |
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| I think it is because you bought root-bound seedlings. It has been warm but we have had good rain in MI. Direct seed lettuce. |
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- Posted by nancyjane_gardener USDA 8ish No CA (My Page) on Sun, Jun 8, 14 at 20:49
| Pick early in the morning. If not, put them in a sink of ice water for awhile. Should be fine. Nancy |
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- Posted by catherinet 5 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 8:06
| Thanks for the tips everyone. I usually picked them in the afternoon, which probably wasn't the best time. Even though they aren't crunchy, they still probably have more nutrients in them than the store iceberg! |
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| I never have this problem, even in dry, AZ weather. I always water a couple of hours before picking. In mid-March, I plant seeds in almost 90% shade and continue until June with crispy, delicious lettuce. I really like romaine, buttercruch and leaf lettuce. I plant a nice mixture from Baker Creek called Rocky Top. I also like Giant Noble spinach and red spinach. Also, Dragon mix Asian greens are great as baby greens. The only time my lettuce is limp is if I don't water it. I always throw my seed directly in the garden and mist daily until growing well. |
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- Posted by catherinet 5 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 11:52
| Thanks tracydr! |
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| catherinet, I have the same problem and I gave up growing Romaine varieties - they simply don’t match those sold in grocery stores. Instead of thick, sturdy, dark leaves, I am getting tender, limp, thin ones. And I tried several varieties: Parris Island Cos, Caesar’s Best, all grown from seed… but they all turn out the same. So, I am starting to believe, it is not the variety, but the special growing conditions that make Romaine lettuce leaves thick and sturdy, almost tough in the commercial growing facilities. Maybe, they need constant cool weather? Maybe, they need a few freezes to make their leaves tougher? I dunno, but average garden-grown Romaines are simply not the same - you can't make a nice Caesar salad from them…. |
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| If you were expecting the texture of a head of iceberg lettuce then no leaf lettuce variety will provide that. Dave |
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| Catherinet, I really suggest planting from seed. Forget planting from transplants, just doesnt make sense with lettuce. Lettuce is one of the easiest plants to grow, as long as the temps are not too hot. From seed, watered well, mild temps, and it good soil, you should have no problem. |
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