Sowing and Growing

Sowing and Growing

Little Gem lettuce prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Choose a location that receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.

Little Gem lettuce is very similar to baby romaine lettuce, with an average height of 20 to 25 cm and an average width of 7.5 cm to 10 cm. However, unlike romaine, this type does not tend to be bitter but rather picks up a bit of sweetness. Butterhead lettuce.

Sowing and cultivation:

Germination directly in soil (open field)

If you sow seeds directly in the open field, you will need a seed stock of about 1.5 kg/acre.

• The minimum temperature for germination is 5 degrees Celsius,
• The days of germination are 6-8 days.
• Seeding depth: 1 cm
• Sowing distance between rows: 40 cm
• Sowing distance on the row: 25 cm

Germination in seedling trays or small containers:

It is preferable to plant in this way to achieve the highest rates of growth and to provide the appropriate conditions for seed germination in a better way, and this also encourages the seeds to grow better.

• Prepare the soil mix and plant the seeds at a depth of 1 cm in the soil, where the seeds must be covered with soil for the success of the germination process (a mixture of 70% cocopeat – 10% vermiculite – 5% perlite – 15% plant compost is preferred). By adding the amount of organic fertilizer to the soil when planting Lettuce so that the roots grow better into the soil.
• Spray the soil and seeds with water using a sprayer and cover them with a plastic box or a plastic bag to speed up the germination process, do not forget to make holes in the plastic box so that the seeds can breathe. Germination takes about 3 to 15 days.
• Examine the seeds once every 3 days and make sure that the soil has sufficient moisture for the seeds until germination. After germination, the plastic bag is removed and the plant is placed in a sunny place, paying attention to the watering well.
• After 4 leaves appear, so that there are 3 real leaves, the plant can be moved to larger containers so that there is more space for the seeds to grow and mature.

Growth stage:

It takes about 60 days for lettuce to reach maturity, and during this stage, lettuce needs some important factors affecting its growth.

Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the soil is rich in various nutrients, such as plant compost.

Growing Little Gum lettuce in open fields (clay soil – sandy soil) and greenhouses

Little Gem lettuce is a compact, fast-growing variety of lettuce that is suitable for open-field cultivation. It can be grown in both clay and sandy soil, but it is important to note that growth and watering requirements will vary depending on soil type.

Cultivating in clay soil

Clay soil is usually heavy and has poor drainage. This can make it difficult for Little Gum lettuce plants to get the oxygen they need to thrive.

To improve drainage in clay soil, you can add organic matter, such as compost or manure. You can also make raised lines or terraces to improve drainage and aeration.

When growing Little Gum lettuce in clay soil, it is important to leave a distance of at least 15 to 24 cm between plants. This will give the plants enough room to grow and develop.

Water the plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.

Cultivating in sandy soil

Sandy soil is light and usually well-drained. This makes it ideal for growing Little Gum lettuce. However, sandy soil can also have low fertility.

To increase the fertility of sandy soil and increase the nutrients contained in it, you can add compost or manure. You can also use a balanced fertilizer to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need.

When growing Little Gum lettuce in sandy soil, it is important to leave a distance of at least 10 to 16 cm between plants. This will give the plants enough room to grow and develop. Water the plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.

Irrigation

Little Gem lettuce is a shallow-rooted plant, so watering regularly is important. The amount of water required will vary depending on soil type and climate. In general, Little Gum lettuce plants need about 60cm of water per week.

The best time to water Little Gem lettuce is in the morning. This will give the plants time to dry out before nightfall, which can help reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

Fertilization

Little Gum lettuce does not require a large amount of nutrients, but it can benefit from a balanced fertilizer application once or twice during the growing season. Therefore, sticky fertilizer is considered a good fertilizer for lettuce. It contains a high percentage of nitrogen, but it also contains phosphorus and potassium.

To compost Little Gum lettuce, follow these steps:

• Water the plants well before applying fertilizer.
• Apply fertilizer to the side of the plants, about 2 inches from the base of the plants.
• Water the plants again to help the fertilizer dissolve and be absorbed by the roots.
• You can use liquid fertilizer or granular fertilizer. If you use a liquid fertilizer, be sure to dilute it according to the label instructions. If you are using a granular fertilizer, distribute it evenly around the base of the plants and water it.

Cultivating in greenhouses

Little Gum lettuce can also be grown in a greenhouse. This can be a good option if you live in a climate with cold winters or short growing seasons.

To grow Little Gum lettuce in a greenhouse, you will need:

• Choose a greenhouse large enough to accommodate the plants.
• Fill the greenhouse with a well-draining soil mix.
• Plant Little Gum lettuce seeds or seedlings according to planting recommendations.
• Water the plants regularly but be careful not to overwater.
• Fertilize plants once or twice during the growing season.
• Monitor plants for pests and diseases and treat them when needed.

Some Plant Needs:

• Type: Leafy Green
• Pot size: 15 – 35 cm
• Maturity Days: 15 cm: 25 cm
• Planting: Feb – April / Sep – Nov
• Planting Depth: 1cm
• Plant Distances: 15 – 30 cm
• Preferred Soil when Planting: 70% Cocopeat 10% Vermiculite 5% Perlite 15% Plant Compost
• Germination period: 5 – 10 Days
• Preferred Soil when Transplanting: 60% Cocopeat 7% Vermiculite 3% Perlite 30% Plant Compost
• Light: Full Sun – Part Shade. Most varieties require a minimum of 2-3 hours daily and for winter variety (1-2 hours)
• PH: 6.0 – 7.0
• Electrical Conductivity (EC): 0.8 – 1.2 Ms.
• Total Dissolved Salts (TDS): 512 – 768 PPM
• Color: Green