Super Red Romaine Lettuce Heirloom Vegetable SeedsLactuca sativaListing is for 1 packet of minimum 25 seedsGorgeous bright deep red romaine lettuce. Makes for an interesting contrast in a mixed salad. This is a Romaine type lettuce meaning it will form a compact vertical head with crispy/sturdy leaves. I like to harvest each individual leaf as needed so it will keep growing and producing more leaves. You can harvest the entire head of Romaine if preferred. I add a big handful of blood meal in the planting hole and that is the only time I fertilize. Blood meal is high in nitrogen and helps any type of leafy greens to grow an abundance of leaves with saturated color. Ideal Growing Conditions Sun: Does best getting 6 hours of sun a day. Grow in partial shade in hot climates. Water: Keep the soil consistently moist Fertilizer: Add some blood meal into the planting hole before transplanting or work some into the soil before direct sowing seeds. This one time application of fertilizer should be enough for the entire growing season. When & How To Sow Seeds: Can direct sow after all danger of frost has passed or can start in seed trays/cells 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. In hot climates (like garden zones 8 and up), it is best to sow in fall to grow through winter and spring. Sprinkle a few seeds over the soil surface, pat down, cover with 1/4 inch of soil, and water in. Can follow square foot gardening guidelines to space 4 lettuce plants per square foot, or plant each one 10 to 12 inches apart. Germination: 7-10 days Days To Maturity: 50 days after direct sowing the seed How & When To Harvest: Can wait to harvest the entire head of romaine or can harvest individual leaves as needed. Common Diseases: The most common disease when growing lettuce is downy mildew. It thrives in cool, wet conditions and can spread rapidly, causing yellow spots on the leaves that eventually turn brown and die. Proper plant spacing to improve air flow helps. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water every 3 to 5 days until you notice the spread has stopped. Common Pests: Critters like rabbits love to munch on lettuce plants. Protection from small animals might be required. The most common pest when growing lettuce is aphids. Use a strong spray of water to dislodge aphids from the leaves. For more severe infestations, spray with organic insecticidal soap or spinosad. Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? YES Watch it here: https://youtu.be/EDgdSgomdsM Additional Tips/Information: N/A
