lettuce question

[dragonfly1113]

I have never grown lettuce before. I do not like the leafy kind. I purchased some head lettuce seeds from gurneys. I got them today and was reading the package and it says that you can start them inside. Has anyone done this? Under the harvest section, it says to harvest when heads are the size of softballs. Isnt that small? Oh, I guess you need to know what varity... Ithaca. I am so used to buying lettuce from the store and they are some big ole heads of lettuce. Anyone familar with this kind of lettuce please provide me with some info so I dont make a disaster of my lettuce.
Thanks,
Susie

[Jenn]

In ENgland they grew lots lettuce in pots. Usually ready to eat before time to transplant I found (when given pots of it). Why not do both for safety- biggest issue is when it will bolt in your summer weather. My lettuce planting season is almost over!

[dragonfly1113]

Okay, I am stupid.... what is bolt? what does that do?

[madness]

Bolting is when the plant send up a flower stalk. At this point, the plant is using a lot of it's energy (and thus sugars) to produce flowers/seeds. Generally, the plant becomes "off-flavor" - in the case of lettuce, that means bitter. Lettuce bolts when the weather gets warm.

Here in Texas, I've never bothered starting lettuce indoors since I can grow it year round outside. But if you aren't suppose to put it out until the ground is at some temperature, you can always start indoors in order to have a quicker harvest.

And since it's pretty hard to grow head lettuce here because of the heat...I don't really have any advice about size. I'd be happy to even get golf ball size I suppose! I've never had one survive long enough to head!

[Zebraman]

Hey Guys;Ithaca is a small,Iceberg type lettuce that grows better in the heat.If you are looking for size then try Iceberg,Red Iceberg or Summertime.Although these do not stand the heat as well.-

[MELOC]

my neighbor grew some romaine lettuce last year the looked awesome. i plan to plant some this year.

[dragonfly1113]

Thanks everybody

[Spinner]

Is Ithaca just a small iceberg. I'm allergic to iceberg so I only grow the leaf lettuces, but might try Ithaca if it isn't the same as iceberg.