Valmaine Lettuce

Lettuce Valmaine

€1,50

Lettuce Valmaine

€1,50

Itinerário técnico

Como cultivar lettuce valmaine?

Um guia de cultivo passo a passo, da sementeira à colheita.

pH ideal 5.5 and 7Temperatura ideal 20 and 30°C

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.

Solo

This crop adapts well to different soil types, though good drainage capacity is essential. Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.

Clima

The crop prefers temperatures between 20 and 30°C; however, temperatures should not be extreme, as they will lead to premature bolting.

Fertilização

Compost should be incorporated into the base fertilization to meet the crop's nutritional needs. It is important that the soil has adequate phosphorus at the start of 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.

Rega

Watering should be done regularly since the root system is not very deep. Drip irrigation is a good option for lettuce cultivation, as it prevents excessive moisture on the leaves and thus reduces the risk of disease.

Controlo de Infestantes

Mulching is an interesting option for lettuce cultivation, reducing competition between weeds and the crop.

Controlo de Pragas

Mites, aphids, leaf miner larvae and root-knot nematodes are pests of this crop. Mites can be managed through biological control using predatory mites, and if necessary, azadirachtin or dusting sulfur may be applied (if T < 28°C). Aphids can be controlled through moderate fertilization avoiding excess nitrogen, natural limitation by planting hedgerows along field borders to support beneficial insects, biological control with parasitoid and predatory hymenoptera, and if necessary, the application of potassium soap or azadirachtin. Leaf miner larvae can be controlled through natural limitation using hedgerows and other vegetation with nectar-rich plants to feed parasitoid adults, biological control with parasitoid hymenoptera, and as a complementary measure, the application of azadirachtin. Root-knot nematodes are controlled through crop rotations, biofumigation and soil solarization.

Doenças

Alternaria blight, sclerotinia, downy mildew and grey mould are diseases affecting this crop. To control alternaria blight, 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 practised, 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 reduced 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 applying bentonite clay on a regular basis.