Why Can I Not Grow Lettuce

cutestkids

Hoping I can get some advice on here, I have tried for the last three years to grow lettuce in pots on the patio.

I have tried Little Gem and I have also tried the cut and come again leaf types.

The seeds germinate and start to grow fine, then they seem to just stop and not grow anymore after getting to about 2 inches high.

They stay like this and then after a while a flower stem appears out and grows rapidly and within a short time it is all a mess.

Can anyone tell me where I am going wrong please.

I am growing in multipurpose compost in containers.

macma

I don't know what the problem is,but if they are developing a flower stem that would mean they are going to seed and the plant was probably stressed.Do you keep them well watered ?

cutestkids

Hi

Thanks for replying,

I do keep them well watered but they just won't grow past a couple of inches max may are much smaller and then the flower stem appears.

It really is frustrating as lettuce is supposed to be easy

I grow, cucumber, tomatoes, courgette and various herbs with no problems it is just the lettuce that I can't get to work.

I wonder if trying to grow them inside would help.

valk_scot

How deep are your containers? Where do you keep them? How thickly do you sow the seed and do you thin them out or transplant them?

cutestkids

Hi

containers are about 10 inches deep, they are on a south facing patio wall that gets the sun for a large part of the day.

I usually just scatter the seed sparingly over the surface and cover lightly with compost, I do not usually thin them or transplant them.

Seriously thinking of trying plug plants instead of sowing them myself as the same thing happens every time

D&DD

It may be that its too warm to start with where they are try sowing some in a shadier spot lettuce struggles to germinate over 70 degrees so maybe thats why you're having a few probs?
Once they are up leave them in the shade for a week or two then move them into the sunny spot
It's been so warm here my lettuces aren't even coming up lol so you have my sympathies,funnily enough though the 5p packets of cut and come again are romping away..

sunnysurrey_2

Hi salads don't like full sunshine really & will set seed. Morning sun is best with shade in the afternoon when it gets hot if I remember rightly. It's how I do it and I haven 't really had many problems. Good luck

cutestkids

Thank you, I think I will try them at the other side of the house where we get the sun in the morning but shade later in the day.

Funny it never occurred to me that it would be something that simple it really does get quite hot on the patio on sunny days so this could well be the problem.
Thank you to everyone for the suggestions.

BigDonut

when growing lettuce in window boxes, I find if I didn't thin the seedlings then they would go to seed.
I had more success with some types of lettuce. can't remember which ones though as it was all cut and come again mixes

I did get mini gems but found I got more mileage out of the cut and come again