Although romaine lettuce is a heat resistant variety, lettuce, in general, are cold-weather plants and will not do well in hot weather. Plants generally have a height and spread of 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in). By the late 20th century, the preferred types began to change, with crisphead, especially iceberg, lettuce becoming the dominant type in northern Europe and Great Britain and more popular in western Europe. For example, ancient Egyptians thought lettuce to be a symbol of sexual prowess[45] and a promoter of love and childbearing in women. It can be plagued by numerous nutrient deficiencies, as well as insect and mammal pests, and fungal and bacterial diseases. Pale to white lettuce, such as the centers in some iceberg lettuce, contain few nutrients.[18]. The European settlers introduced the crops to other parts of the world. Lettuce is easily cultivated and is grown all year round. [8] Lettuce is closely related to several Lactuca species from southwest Asia; the closest relationship is to L. serriola, an aggressive weed common in temperate and subtropical zones in much of the world. Optimum growth temperature for lettuce is 16 to 18 °C and the plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 7 °C. Lettuce is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, and iron. Lettuce Farming Guide: Introduction to Lettuce:- Lettuce is one of the popular cool season leafy salad crops grown throughout the world due to its food value in diet.Among all, garden lettuce is being grown on commercial scale. This Primefact includes information on: [47][48][49], In the United States in 2013, California (71%) and Arizona (29%) produced nearly all of the country's fresh head and leaf lettuce, with head lettuce yielding $9400 of value per acre and leaf lettuce $8000 per acre.[48]. Where (in the World!) Summary. The plant was first cultivated by ancient Egyptians from where it spread to Greece and Rome and was soon cultivated in most parts of Europe. They said the space-grown lettuce was similar in composition to the Earth-based controls. or on mountain tops, without getting eaten. Celtuce, a lettuce variety grown primarily in Asia for its stems, crosses easily with lettuces grown for their leaves. [1] At room temperature, lettuce seeds remain viable for only a few months. Imports from Spain and Northern Europe dominate the Italian market. Outbreaks Associated with Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption. The river -- along with almost constant sunshine, warm weather and ready access to a deep pool of skilled farm workers from across the border in Mexico -- has allowed Yuma to become one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. Iceberg/Crisphead – The most popular type in the United States, it is very heat-sensitive and was originally adapted for growth in the northern United States. China is the world leader in lettuce production, producing half of the world's lettuce.Stem lettuce is grown in the country and the stems are prepared as a cooked vegetable. In addition to its usual purpose as an edible leafy vegetable, lettuce has had a number of uses in ancient (and even some more modern) folk medicine and religious symbolism. So, with the hot months approaching, now is a good time to discuss growing this vegetable.. Let’s have a look at how you can grow lettuce in a greenhouse! Lettuce can be grown in a garden almost anywhere in the US, but by far the majority of commercial lettuce is grown in the Salinas Valley on California's central coast. The problem with the popular iceberg (head) lettuce is that when the first head appears, the remainder is not far behind. In that country, "salads" were created from cooked vegetables and served hot or cold. The cultivated lettuce Lactuca sativa is a popular salad vegetable and is grown on all continents throughout the world including Australia.. The scenario changed since the late 1900’s when the crop began to be cultivated in large-scale in other parts of the world. The pappus remains at the top of each fruit as a dispersal structure. Although romaine lettuce is a heat resistant variety, lettuce, in general, are cold-weather plants and will not do well in hot weather. [51] Lettuce has been linked to numerous outbreaks of the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella; the plants were most likely contaminated through contact with animal feces. Similarly, ancient Romans also claimed that lettuce consumption increases sexual potency. It ships well, but is low in flavor and nutritional content, being composed of even more water than other lettuce types. Growing lettuce in greenhouses has many benefits, from lower water and land usage, to crops being protected from outside elements. By growing a few varieties you’ll have all the ingredients you need for a delicious, colourful salad. Lettuce is the only member of the genus Lactuca to be grown commercially. Transplanted lettuce (started in flats and later moved to growing beds) is generally more competitive initially, but can still be crowded later in the season, causing misshapen lettuce and lower yields. This Primefact includes information on: [16], Depending on the variety and time of year, lettuce generally lives 65–130 days from planting to harvesting. They need moist soil to grow correctly. Ancient records note that lettuce was served at the royal table of Persian kings as early as 550 B.C. Celis regards the semi-closed greenhouse as the next step in the high-tech production of leafies. Lettuce varieties will cross with each other, making spacing of 1.5 to 6 m (60 to 240 in) between varieties necessary to prevent contamination when saving seeds. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. [39], Soil nutrient deficiencies can cause a variety of plant problems that range from malformed plants to a lack of head growth. There are several types or cultivars of lettuce. Lettuce has mild narcotic properties; it was called "sleepwort" by the Anglo-Saxons because of this attribute, although the cultivated L. sativa has lower levels of the narcotic than its wild cousins. [18] This propensity for crossing, however, has led to breeding programs using closely related species in Lactuca, such as L. serriola, L. saligna, and L. virosa, to broaden the available gene pool. Spacing of about 6 to 18 inches between romaine lettuce plants to ensure they get enough nutrients and space to grow. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled. Trying to grow lettuce again this year and want to mimic where it grows best - and wild. Lettuce leaves can also be found in soups, sandwiches and wraps, while the stems are eaten both raw and cooked. [46], In the early 21st century, bagged salad products increased in the lettuce market, especially in the US where innovative packaging and shipping methods prolonged freshness. Lettuce is grown on all continents, but the greatest consumers and producers are the USA (91 000 hectares, of which 60 000 ha are in California) and Europe (total EEC area 80 000 ha). How to Keep Growing Lettuce in Fall (and Winter) Even in cold winter areas, you can grow lettuce through the colder months if you give your plants some protection. All mine seem to be a slug magnet, so they must survive naturally somewhere in the world- like on desert islands surrounded by salt flats! Where (in the World!) Lettuce is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds as well. Cover with a very thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Lettuce is generally a rich source of vitamins K and A, though the nutritional quality varies, depending on the variety. In the last decade, the market for this variety has also grown explosively in Italy. Researchers have found that the salad crop, red romaine lettuce, grown on board the International Space Station (ISS), is as nutritious as counterparts grown on the Earth, an advance that may help astronauts grow safe, fresh food during space missions. [26], Due to its short lifespan after harvest, lettuce was originally sold relatively close to where it was grown. Lettuce is grown in home gardens worldwide. Iceberg lettuce was mainly produced in the western U.S. In the same region, hydroponic tomatoes often sell for below $3 per pound. In warm climates lettuce growing is usually restricted to the spring and fall, when temperatures are more moderate than in summer or winter. Up until now, only micro greens and herbs have proven financially viable for vertical production in the UK, but such developments will allow mainstream salad produce to be grown domestically for the retail sector – both in store and, more importantly, in big warehouses – starting with baby leaf and moving into gem and cos lettuce, lollo rossa, oakleaf and other salad leaves. So, light but consistent watering is key. [15] There are also a few varieties with yellow, gold or blue-teal leaves. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has also gathered religious and medicinal signific… [34] Seeds keep best when stored in cool conditions, and, unless stored cryogenically, remain viable the longest when stored at −20 °C (−4 °F); they are relatively short lived in storage. In 2013, 24.9 million tons of lettuce were produced in the world. Because lettuce is used in salads, we tend to eat more of it in summer. [55] This narcotic effect is a property of two sesquiterpene lactones which are found in the white liquid (latex) in the stems of lettuce,[30] called lactucarium or "lettuce opium". [16][19] The ovaries form compressed, obovate (teardrop-shaped) dry fruits that do not open at maturity, measuring 3 to 4 mm long. [27], Western Europe and North America were the original major markets for large-scale lettuce production. The use of lettuce in cuisines has been prevalent since the ancient times. [28], Lettuce is very easy to grow, and as such has been a significant source of sales for many seed companies. Several other medicinal and religious lores are also associated with lettuce consumption. [10] Today, the majority of lettuce is grown for its leaves, although one type is grown for its stem and one for its seeds, which are made into an oil. Lettuce is rich in Folate, Manganese, Vitamins A, C, K, and dietary fiber. By the late 1900s, Asia, South America, Australia and Africa became more substantial markets. As the anthers shed pollen, the style elongates to allow the stigmas, now coated with pollen, to emerge from the tube. Large areas of lettuce are also grown in southeastern Australia, Japan, China, Israel, northern Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. [14] The leaves are colorful, mainly in the green and red color spectrums, with some variegated varieties. Despite grown under low gravity and intense radiation, the space-grown lettuce is as nutritious as those grown on earth, said Christina … Names also often changed significantly from country to country. Ancient Egyptians would relate lettuce to sexual prowess. [41] Crowding lettuce tends to attract pests and diseases. [31] Many insects are attracted to lettuce, including cutworms, which cut seedlings off at the soil line; wireworms and nematodes, which cause yellow, stunted plants; tarnished plant bugs and aphids, which cause yellow, distorted leaves; leafhoppers, which cause stunted growth and pale leaves; thrips, which turn leaves gray-green or silver; leafminers, which create tunnels within the leaves; flea beetles, which cut small holes in leaves and caterpillars, slugs and snails, which cut large holes in leaves. Whilst lettuce is mostly used in salads it can also be used in soups, sandwiches and sandwich like meals. Post-Roman Europe continued the tradition of poaching lettuce, mainly with large romaine types, as well as the method of pouring a hot oil and vinegar mixture over the leaves. Three types – leaf, head and cos or romaine – are the most common. Sow seed on moist, well-prepared soil or compost in spring. [56] Folk medicine has also claimed it as a treatment for pain, rheumatism, tension and nervousness, coughs and insanity; scientific evidence of these benefits in humans has not been found. [46] Lettuce is also used as a primary ingredient in the preparation of lettuce soup. Thanks. Up until now, only micro greens and herbs have proven financially viable for vertical production in the UK, but such developments will allow mainstream salad produce to be grown domestically for the retail sector – both in store and, more importantly, in big warehouses – starting with baby leaf and moving into gem and cos lettuce, lollo rossa, oakleaf and other salad leaves. 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