Plant problems
Bitter Lettuce
Bitterness indicates the plant is going to flower. Harvest early and provide shade.
A bitter lettuce cannot be 'sweetened' with more fertilizer. It has bolted or suffered from drought/heat. The next planting should be done in the shade of a staked tomato.
Causes
Long days, 30 °C, irregular watering, winter variety in July.
Prevention
Succession planting, afternoon shade, consistent watering, harvesting outer leaves, summer varieties.
What we recommend at Control Garden
Seed trays for succession and pots that do not overheat. The staked tomato provides useful shade for lettuce in July.
Recommended products
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FAQs
Can it be cooked?
Yes, sautéed. Raw, mix with sweet varieties.
Does excess nitrogen cause bitterness?
Stress causes bitterness. Excessive nitrogen leads to watery leaves, another issue.