Lettuce, ‘Eruption’

(Lactuca sativa) A true mini volcano of a lettuce, Eruption displays Dark red tips over light green buttery-crunchy-romaine leaves, all wrapped around a pink magma core. Small “Latin” style heads, slightly larger than Little Gems, with an upright stature. This lettuce has been found to be resistant to multiple strains of Sclerotinia (Lettuce Drop) and Verticillium Wilt in experiments by the USDA in California. It has been used to breed that resistance into Latin and Romaine lettuces. The pink core makes a stunning cross-section, perfect for a gem-type salad, and the flavor is that of a crunchy, sweet Romaine. A relatively recent Enza Zaden variety dropped into the USDA Germplasm Repository and plucked out by us in a scan of interesting-sounding lettuces. Slow to bolt. *Word needs to get out about this variety! It is one of our absolute favorites and deserving of your attention.
28 (baby leaf) -50 days. UO

Packet: 1g (~800 seeds)

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 2-4 weeks before your last frost. Seeds germinate best below 70F.

Transplant out 3-4 week-old plants.

Direct seed after last frost.

Sow every 3 weeks until 6 weeks before first Fall frost date for constant lettuce.

Note: Seeds will become dormant if exposed to high temperatures. Lettuce grows best in cooler weather.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/8″

SPACING:

10-12″ in rows 12-15″ apart.

EMERGENCE:

5-7 days @ soil temp 68F and lower.

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Medium. Prefers well-drained, with balanced fertility and evenly moist soil. Lettuce is sensitive to low pH.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Uneven watering can result in tip burn, the browning of the leaf margins, which is caused by the plant’s inability to move calcium to the growing edge fast enough to meet its growth needs. If this seems to be a problem, consistent, evenly moist soil or calcium amendments can be beneficial.

Hot weather can cause premature bolting. Generally, when the plants begin to stretch upwards (to flower), the leaves become bitter, and the eating quality is poor.