How to Grow Celtuce (Stem Lettuce)? Latest Planting Time and Methods

Celtuce is a common vegetable in our daily lives. Both its stems and leaves are edible; the stem is fleshy with a crisp, tender texture, and it has good market prospects. It is cultivated throughout China. So when should I choose to plant it? Let's take a look together at the planting time and methods for celtuce.

Planting Time

Celtuce has strong adaptability, tolerates semi-cold conditions, prefers cool environments, and fears high temperatures, so it can be planted in spring and autumn. Its planting time should also be chosen according to the local climate and temperature conditions. The planting time for spring celtuce is April-May in open-field cultivation, and autumn celtuce is planted in September-October; in the Yangtze River Basin it can safely overwinter.

Planting Methods

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Celtuce has a shallow root system and weak absorption capacity, so the soil should preferably be loose sandy soil. Choose a plot with higher terrain, good drainage, and dryness. Apply sufficient base fertilizer before sowing, then deep plow, break up and crush the soil, then level and refine it, and cover with a layer of mulch to prepare for planting.

2. Sowing

To ensure the seeds can germinate smoothly, the seeds need to be treated before sowing. Place the seeds in clean water to soak for about 6 hours, then wrap them in a wet towel to begin germination. After germination, they can be sown. Celtuce seeds are relatively small, so when sowing, mix them evenly with fine soil and then broadcast them. Before sowing, water the soil thoroughly once, sow 2-3 grams per sq m on average, and after sowing cover with a thin layer of fine soil. After sowing, cover with a layer of plastic film to keep warm and moist and speed up sprouting. Observe carefully, and as soon as the seedlings emerge, immediately uncover the film to maintain ventilation and light. When the seedlings grow about 3 true leaves, they can be planted out.

3. Transplanting management

When transplanting, to ensure fast and robust growth, maintain a spacing and row spacing of 25 cm × 30 cm, water promptly to promote root development, and keep the soil moist. If transplanting occurs during a period of high summer temperatures, provide appropriate shade to prevent the seedlings from being damaged. After sufficient base fertilizer is applied, basically no additional fertilization is needed; you may apply one or two light applications of farmyard manure when cultivating or weeding. Also note that when cultivating, it must be shallow-rooted; its root system is not well developed, and cultivating too deeply will damage its roots.

The above is the planting time and methods for celtuce brought to you by Qinnong Web. Celtuce has a weak root system and low absorption capacity, so if you want it to grow quickly, fertilizer and water management should be emphasized. When sufficient base fertilizer is applied, there is no need to worry about fertility later, but water must be applied frequently, and not too much each time, to avoid waterlogging.