Key points

Growing lettuce is a rewarding experience , but nothing can deflower a salad faster than bitter leaves . If you ’ve ever question how to rise cabbage not bitter , you ’re not alone . Thiscommon problemcan be easily avoided with a few simple tips .

1. Choose the Right Variety

Somelettuce varietiesare simply more prone to acerbity than others . Bitter mixed bag admit rocket , romaine , and escarole . If you ’re look for a sweet andmild lettuce , opt for varieties like butterhead , bibb , and Boston .

2. Provide Ample Sunlight

Lettuce needs at least six hour ofdirect sunlightper day to fly high . When lettuce is produce inshady area , it produces more chlorophyl , which can lead to bitterness . control yourlettuce eyepatch receives plentyof sunlight throughout the day .

3. Water Consistently

Water is all-important forlettuce increment , but overwatering can run toroot putrefaction . water supply yourlettuce regularly , especially during red-hot and dry weather condition . Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to foreclose waterlogging .

4. Fertilize Lightly

Lettuce is alight feederand does notrequire heavy impregnation . Overfertilizing can lead to excessive leaf growing and bitterness . Use abalanced fertilizerwith a broken nitrogen message and give it sparingly .

5. Avoid Stress

shekels plant are sensible to stress , which can trigger bitterness . Avoid transplanting boodle during hot ordry conditions . If you need to transplant , do so on acloudy dayor in the eventide . Also , protect your sugar from pests and diseases , as these can also make strain .

6. Harvest at the Right Time

Harvesting lettuce too early or too belated can contribute to bitterness . For mostlettuce varieties , theideal harvest time timeis when the leaves are fully developed but before they start to bolt of lightning ( bring about flowers ) .

7. Store Properly

Once you ’ve harvestedyour lettuce , store it decently toprevent rancor . wind the dough in adamp paper toweland place it in the refrigerator . Lettuce can be stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator .

The Science Behind Lettuce Bitterness

The bitterness in lettuce is induce by acompound call lactucin . Lactucin is a sesquiterpene lactone , a character ofplant chemical . Lactucin is produce in reaction to tension or injury . When lettuce industrial plant are let on to factors like drought , heat , or pests , they produce more lactucin as a defence mechanism .

How to Reduce Bitterness in Lettuce

If you ’ve alreadyharvested acrimonious cabbage , there are a few things you may do to reduce the bitterness :

FAQs

Q : Why is my pelf bitter?A : Lettuce can become bitter due to a variety of ingredient , including genetic science , insufficient sun , overwatering , overfertilizing , strain , andimproper harvestingor store . Q : Whichlettuce varietiesare less bitter?A : Sweet andmild lettuce varieties include butterhead , bibb , and Boston . Q : How can I keep my lettuce from becoming bitter?A : Choose the right assortment , provide ample sun , water systematically , fecundate lightly , avoid stress , harvest at the right sentence , and store properly . Q : What can I do if my clams is already bitter?A : you’re able to try intoxicate it incold piss , blanch it , marinade it , or cooking it to reduce the bitterness . Q : Can Igrow lettucein partial shade?A : Lettuce call for at least six hours ofdirect sunlightper daylight , so it will not grow well in fond shadowiness . Q : How often should I water my lettuce?A : Water yourlettuce on a regular basis , particularly during blistering anddry weather . permit the territory to dry out out slightly between waterings . Q : How can I tell when my lolly is ready to harvest?A : For mostlettuce form , theideal harvest timeis when the leaf arefully developedbut before they start to dash ( produce flowers ) .