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Bitter lettuce? Anyone know why?

GillarooGillaroo Posts: 17
in Fruit & veg
I couldn't wait for my own lettuce seeds so I bought plug plants of Lollo Biondi to keep me going. I planted them in coconut coir that came with a vegtrug. Does anyone have any ideas why the leaves are tough and bitter? I've been taking leaves from the outside and they've never grown very big. 

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Lack of water, I would guess.  I've had that trouble with kale and cucumbers going bitter in drought.  
    Utah, USA.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't see coir being enough for lettuces to grow well enough in.
    They do need a lot of moisture to grow well. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    AFAIK unlike soil or compost coir contains no nutrients whatsoever and I believe that you need to use hydroponic fertilizers to ensure your plants get the full range of nutrients etc

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Lettuce gets bitter when it's stressed, so too much heat, pests, not enough water or a nutrient missing. if they are in plain coir then probably the last two problems.
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