60 Seconds or Sow: What is Bolting Lettuce/Greens? - The Rusted Garden 2013

In 60 seconds or so... I describe the process of 'bolting'. Lettuce and other greens are cool weather crops. When the warm temperatures come, lettuce moves from leaf productions to flower and seed production. Very often the flavor of lettuce changes and it becomes bitter.

[drholmes]

Just reading a soup cook book and never heard of bolting lettuce and greens. Very informative video. Live and learn!

[equallywrong]

So, when lettuce bolts should I just rip the plant out the ground and plant fresh seeds? I do not want to eat bitter lettuce. Or, can I cut the plant down to soil level and it will regrow without bolting...assuming cool weather ahead?

[michaelschnittker]

My first attempt to grow lettuce using the Kratky method resulted in bolting. I grew them from seed in rock wool with three fertilizer mix under lights in a bathroom in April 2019 and then when they were about 6" tall and weather was not cold any more I moved them outside. Now in June 2019 they are two feet tall and flowering. I wondered why the leaves weren't getting wider, now I know! Too hot here in Northern Virginia! Live and learn.

[honeybee]

My lettuce is bolting 😢 😢 it's been 90s. Should I have brought them inside?

[dsvance]

I never heard of bolting greens before today. But I had wondered where the seeds for these plants came from. Thanks.

[THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Yep heat does it. Setting up a shade cloth can help if the shade is cooler. Or inside can work.

[Mrs.Peetsulife]

Thank you for this video. I live in a warm climate and was wondering why it was growing so tall and not producing long leaves.

[Keepskatin]

I knew something was wrong with my lettuce taste.It's very bitter and spicy too, like a super onion, but without onion taste.I'm in Florida, it's always hot here, so I have to start growing lettuce indoors then.

[claudettefaglie]

A+ on the video... good to know.  Do you ever collect the seeds?  If so, could you/would you please show us how?  Thanks.

[kima]

All my lettuces are bolting. Hot in tx

[rrurban]

can't i just cut the bolts off and let the plant grow while continually harvesting a few leaves a day?

[Mrs.Peetsulife]

If I put ice around the plant would that help. Plus keep it in a shade filled area