Sementeira
Sown in trays, seedlings should be transplanted to their final location 3 to 4 weeks later. The crop can be grown in rows, with 15 to 20 cm between plants and 45 to 60 cm between rows.
A crisp and vigorous batavia lettuce, ideal for those looking for summer harvests.
About the variety. With firm, green leaves and a crisp texture, it is resistant to powdery mildew and other common diseases. It benefits from fertile soil and regular watering to prevent the leaves from becoming tough or bitter. Suitable for container growing.
Itinerário técnico
Um guia de cultivo passo a passo, da sementeira à colheita.
Sown in trays, seedlings should be transplanted to their final location 3 to 4 weeks later. The crop can be grown in rows, with 15 to 20 cm between plants and 45 to 60 cm between rows.
It is a crop that adapts well to different soil types, though good drainage capacity is essential. Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.
The crop prefers temperatures between 20 and 30°C; however, temperatures should not be extreme, as they will cause premature bolting.
Compost should be incorporated as a base fertilizer to meet the crop's nutritional needs. It is important that the soil has phosphorus at the beginning of its development; if sufficient levels are not present in the soil or through the addition of compost, a mineral fertilizer rich in this nutrient should be applied.
Watering should be done regularly, as the root system is not very deep. Drip irrigation is ideal for lettuce cultivation, as it prevents excessive moisture on the leaves and thus the onset of disease.
Mulching is an interesting option for lettuce cultivation, reducing competition between weeds and the crop.
Mites, aphids, leaf miners and root-knot nematodes are pests of this crop. For mite control, biological control with predatory mites can be carried out and, if necessary, azadirachtin or sulphur powder may be applied (if T < 28°C). Aphids can be controlled through moderate fertilisation without excess nitrogen, natural limitation with hedgerows at field borders to support beneficial insects, biological control with parasitoid and predatory Hymenoptera and, if necessary, application of potassium soap or azadirachtin. Leaf miners can be controlled through natural limitation with hedgerows and other vegetation including nectar-rich plants to feed adult parasitoids, biological control with parasitoid Hymenoptera and, as a complementary measure, application of azadirachtin. Root-knot nematodes are controlled through crop rotations, biofumigation and soil solarisation.
Alternaria leaf spot, Sclerotinia, downy mildew and grey mould are diseases affecting this crop. To control Alternaria, wide plant spacing and copper-based fungicides (such as Bordeaux mixture) should be used. To control Sclerotinia, appropriate crop rotations and wider spacing should be practiced, and infected plants should be removed from the field as early as possible. Downy mildew can be controlled through crop rotations of at least 3 years, avoiding excess soil moisture and air humidity, using wide spacing and, if necessary, applying copper hydroxide at low concentrations (which should be lower the colder the weather, as it may risk scorching the leaves). Finally, grey mould should be controlled by removing diseased plant debris, avoiding excessive vigour, keeping water off the plants and through regular application of bentonite clay.
Temperatures of 0°C and relative humidity above 95% are required to maximise lettuce storage.