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My lettuce was bitter, why?

RubyLeafRubyLeaf Posts: 260
in Fruit & veg

Grew some Lettuce (little gem) this year for the first time. But the leaves were so bitter! Did I harvest too soon? If it helps the leaves, whilst big, were still growing partially upright.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi Ruby - like many plants of that type, once they go beyond their ideal size, the flavour changes. Little Gem is a small variety, so they need harvested while they're small, but they will keep on growing if left unpicked.

    It can also happens when plants start to bolt - they're concentrating on producing that flower and seed, so the leaves change in flavour. Were they showing signs of having a flower stem?

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RubyLeafRubyLeaf Posts: 260
    Fairygirl says:

    Hi Ruby - like many plants of that type, once they go beyond their ideal size, the flavour changes. Little Gem is a small variety, so they need harvested while they're small, but they will keep on growing if left unpicked.

    It can also happens when plants start to bolt - they're concentrating on producing that flower and seed, so the leaves change in flavour. Were they showing signs of having a flower stem?

    See original post

     No I didn't see the flower stem. What is the ideal size for this particular lettuce? I want to try again next year :)

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    if they're allowed to dry out at any point, it can make them bitter.

    Devon.
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