Mayan Jaguar Lettuce
Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Description
50-60 days. Don’t fear – this leopard-spotted, sturdy and delicious romaine lettuce won’t bite back! Mayan Jaguar is another Open Source Seed Initiative pledged variety developed by lettuce breeder extraordinaire, Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seeds. We came across this variety through one of our seed growers, Clint Freund, who grew the seed after enjoying the satisfying “CRUNCH!” and fierce coloration. Maroon-red speckling on dark green ruffled leaves that form an upright, compact head of crunchy romaine goodness with a blushing pink heart. This gourmet lettuce shines on its own, or as part of a spring or fall salad mix. Good resistance to common diseases, and strong early vigor make this an ideal lettuce for organic growing. CC
Growing
Growing Instructions (for USDA Zone 5b):
In general, lettuce prefers cool weather and will bolt (flower) earlier in hot weather – this lettuce is more heat tolerant. For early head lettuce, start seeds indoors 3/1 at 68° (cover flat with a dome and expose seeds to light). Sow lettuce seeds outside anytime between 3/27 – 6/30. You can try to sow lettuce seeds 7/1-8/1 but lettuce seeds will not germinate when the soil temperature is over 80° - try covering seeds with row cover fabric to keep them cool and moist. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate - plant seeds on the surface of the soil and pat gently with a hand. Keep seeds constantly moist until germination. Days to germination: 2-14 days. Space these mini head lettuce 8” apart. For baby lettuce broadcast sow seeds.
Harvest:
Baby Leaves: for cut-and-come-again, when leaves are 2-4” tall, cut entire plant with scissors 1" above the soil so you don’t damage the growing crown. Return for several harvests. Heads: Little Gem will make a small tight head (about 4” diameter). Harvest head with a knife at full size before it begins to bolt.
Seed Saving Instructions for gardeners:
Lettuce is mostly self-pollinated and rarely crosses with other lettuces. Isolation distance: 12’. Minimum population size: 5-10 plants. Remove early bolting plants. If lettuce stems fall over, stake them. Harvest lettuce seeds as they begin to mature (they will form dandelion like white plumes on them). Harvest seeds by tapping stems to shake seeds into a bucket. It is best to harvest lettuce seed after several days of dry weather. Harvest seeds over several weeks.
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