Lettuce bitterness -- permanent?

Marc Iverson 10/2/2013, 8:35 pm

I planted lettuce when it was still too hot, encouraged by neighbors with a shadier garden that it wouldn't bolt or be bitter. Well, it didn't bolt, but it was bitter from the start.

The weather has cooled down for about a month now, but the new leaves are still bitter. Additionally, there has been lots of rain. So those two things that make lettuce bitter -- too much heat and too little water -- haven't been a problem for the new leaves. But they're still bitter.

Once a lettuce goes bitter, is it bitter for good?

If so, I wonder if I should just pull it and plant something else.

audrey.jeanne.roberts 10/2/2013, 10:51 pm

I don't know for sure, but that's been my experience. The minute it goes bitter I just pull it unless I want it to go to seed.

Sorry!

CapeCoddess 10/3/2013, 12:52 pm

When I get bitter lettuce I mix it with lots of other greens to add a little bite to a salad.

I think, but I'm not sure, that I read where someone cuts the leaves and then puts them in water and that calmed down the bitterness? But I may have dreamed it...

If you try it will you let us know please?

CC

Marc Iverson 10/4/2013, 1:10 am

Couldn't hurt to try, I spoze.

Thanks too, llamamomma. Boy, l guess lettuce is really temperamental!

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Lettuce bitterness -- permanent?

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