Lettuce Salad Bowl Seedling Tray

For best results with Lettuce Salad Bowl, plant one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5, low feed (50-75 ppm N), and temperatures of 50-75 daytime and 40-55 nighttime. Watch for aphids, whiteflies, slugs, and snails. You may see Botrytis, Pythium, and Downy Mildew.

Lettuce plants produce a tall central stalk with small yellow flowers when they reach maturity and "bolt": produce flowers and seeds. Warm temperatures, long daylight hours, drought, and overcrowding can each trigger bolting. Once lettuce plants start to bolt, the leaves may become bitter and less suitable for eating. Prolong the harvest season by providing shade or cooler temperatures for the lettuce plants or harvesting the leaves frequently to prevent the plant from putting energy into flowering and seed production. 

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers to allow airflow and sunlight to penetrate to the base of each plant.

Use proper light and temperatures, provide adequate space between containers, and fertilize plants appropriately to prevent legginess and premature bolting. We don't recommend using chemical growth regulators on vegetable and herb plants.

Watch for Aphids, Whiteflies, Leaf Miners, Slugs, and Snails in your greenhouse. 

1. Aphids - These tiny, pear-shaped insects can cluster on lettuce leaves and stems, sucking out plant juices and causing stunted growth, yellowing, and wilting.

2. Whiteflies - These tiny, moth-like insects can cause damage similar to aphids, with the added annoyance of producing a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew that can attract other pests and promote the growth of sooty mold.

3. Leaf miners - The larvae of these flies tunnel into lettuce leaves, leaving winding tunnels that can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to disease.

4. Slugs and Snails - These pests are typically active at night and prefer to feed on young, tender plants. They can invade if the greenhouse is not sealed or when standing water or damp areas create a favorable environment for these pests.

Use sanitary practices in your greenhouse, implement an Integrated Pest Management strategy, and provide adequate ventilation.

Downy Mildew, Fusarium Wilt, Pythium Root Rot, and Bacterial Leaf Spot may affect Lettuce in your greenhouse. Prevent infection by practicing good sanitation, providing excellent airflow, and spacing plants appropriately. Scout for diseases regularly and implement an Integrated Pest Management system. 

1. Downy mildew is a fungal disease that appears as yellow or brown spots on foliage. It is most likely in humid, cool conditions. Provide good airflow and spacing between containers to prevent infection.

2. Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease that affects plant roots, causing leaves to turn yellow and wilt. It spreads through contaminated soil or water. Sanitize tools and workspaces and use clean soil when transplanting seedling plugs.

3. Pythium root rot is a water mold that leads to stunted growth and yellowing of lettuce plants. It spreads through contaminated soil or water. Prevent infection by watering at the base of each plant and allowing the soil to dry between irrigating. Sanitize work areas and tools and use clean soil for transplanting. 

4. Bacterial leaf spot causes brown or black spots on foliage, spreading through contaminated water or tools. Sanitize tools and work areas and provide good airflow. 

We recommend planting Lettuce Salad Bowl seedlings in 1801 cellpacks or 4-inch containers. Use a well-drained soil and center the seedling in the container or cell. Cell packs are ready for sale in 1-2 weeks, while 4-inch containers with more mature plants will take 4-5 weeks. Water seedling plugs after transplanting.