Lettuce – Lolla Rossa

Lolla Rossa is a frilly, loose-leaf green/red lettuce variety.

Jun 18 = Day 0.  Plants started from seed (Botanical Interests).  Seeds sowed in 1.5-inch rockwool cube in 2-inch net-pot. Moistened with Seedling Blend, a dilute blend of fertilizers.  N-P-K (in ppm): 22-12-13.

Jun 22 = Day 4.  The plant has germinated, and was placed directly under a fluorescent light (2 ft. T8 bulb, 17W, 6500k) for 16 hours per day.

Jul 1 = Day 13.  Installed plant into 3.5-gallon buckets using the MasterBlend-based Regular-Strength Blend.  N-P-K (in ppm): 103-41-168.  Plant moved to indoor grow room, receiving 9 hours LED grow light per day.

Jul 1 = Day 13

Jul 25 = Day 37

Aug 11 = Day 54.  The front side of the plant (left) gets direct sunlight, and the leaves have turned reddish.  The back of the plant (right) gets light mostly from the LED grow bulb, and these leaves are more greenish.

Aug 12 = Day 55.  Began harvesting lower leaves for use in salads.  Plant is getting too tall and top-heavy, so it was tied to a pole to keep it upright.  Also, grow room is very hot (above 80 °F during the day), so the use of the LED grow light was discontinued.  Plant is now receiving 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Sep 2 = Day 76.  All lower leaves have been harvested, and the plant has bolted, so the remaining upper leaves taste bitter.  This plant has grown to be almost 4 feet tall!  Plant was discarded at this time.  Total fluid used = 2.8 gallons.  Final pH = 5.0.

Sep 2 = Day 76