lettuce problem

[number 1 suspect]

Hi all
My mother inlaw (god bless her) lives in Sicily and has asked if i know whats up with her lettuce.

The problem is that in the morning they are fine and by the evening some of them have turned almost white and appear to have gone limp as if not enough water has been used. She waters them daily and has never had this problem before.

Many thanks in advance

Marty

[bramble]

I can only assume as she is living in Sicily that the temp is too hot for them. Lettuce don't like very high temps and even do better in shade or dappeled shade. It might also be the variety that she is growing is not too keen on the sunny climate. Perhaps someone will have a better idea.

[Alice]

Hard to be sure Suspect, but it sounds climatic to me. What's the temp in Sicily. Are they just bleached white with the sun. Is it warmer this year than usual. Lettuce usually like it cool and moist. But whatever, it's touching that your mother in law has faith in you to answer her question from that distance. Nice.

[leona]

my salad in containers did this if it got left in the sun. i just keep it so it only gets sun part of the day and its fine now

[number 1 suspect]

Thanks everyone
The lettuce in the shade are the ones suffering but the ones in the full sun are doing ok!!!!! very odd. Told her to plant them all in the sun :-) All the plants get watered evey evening without fail. She lives 1500 meters above. Dont know if that would have any bearing on the problem.

Marty

[lyndap]

Do they get aphid root fly there?Some I grew in pots a few years ago had these and the lettice sounds the same.If you lift one out of the ground/pot you will see clusters of white bugs(bit like green fly without wings)If it is this you need to burn the plants,and get rid of surounding soil.Not supposed to plant lettice there again for some time,but I can't remember how long.If in pots its easier to get rid of.

[nick the grief]

I wished my mother in law lived in Sicily

Could be too shady for them.