Bolting Lettuces

[The Doctor]

Had some lovely cos lettuces growing away, and then for various reasons didn't get to the lottie for a week. When I did, half of the lettuces have bolted and are very quickly going to seed.

I have them planted through weed fabric to try and keep the soil moist and the whole lot is covered with holey poly.

Any ideas as to why this might have happened? Too hot, too wet etc???

[Protea]

Had some lovely cos lettuces growing away, and then for various reasons didn't get to the lottie for a week. When I did, half of the lettuces have bolted and are very quickly going to seed.

I have them planted through weed fabric to try and keep the soil moist and the whole lot is covered with holey poly.

Any ideas as to why this might have happened? Too hot, too wet etc???

Most likely to be too hot. They don't need to be covered with polythene at the moment, this is probably keeping the temp too high in the daytime (its been quite sunny in between rain!)

[rustylady]

Lettuce like to be cool, and they also seem to have their own schedule before they try and set seed. If they're going to bolt then they will do it. Best thing to do is plant in shade at this time of the year, sow little and often. I also pick leaves as I need them instead of waiting for the whole head to mature.

[Alice]

Too hot. Too cold. Too wet. Too dry. Any reason will do it for lettuce. Best to grow in small amounts and anything you can't eat this week - make soup with.

[Paulottie]

Your joking of course Alice? I remember our lettuce soup attempts-not a great gastronomic moment that! perhaps you have a better recipe!

Keep going!-little and often-I reckon to sow either 24 or 40 (4 varieties) in modules every fortnight. I catch and inter crop them everywhere and start harvesting them a little young. You get to know when they are about to bolt. There is always a good one somewhere. Always take the best and enjoy it, Nobody wants a tatty, sluggy lettuce on the verge of bolting -however nice it looked last week!.

[The Doctor]

Cheers, guys.

None of this batch has been attacked by slugs. I lost about 20 when I first put them out to slugs and then got my own back by feeding them little blue sweeties. Seems to still be working since no new ones have turned up yet.

they're covered just to stop caterpillars, since I lost a large batch of various cabbages last year.

I guess I'll just use what I have and put some more in.

Lettuce soup, eh, Alice? Tell me more!