I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to obtain
viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self
germinating?

"Mike" wrote:

I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to obtain
viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self
germinating?

They're self-fertile, so you can get good seed from 1 plant.


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

"Steve" wrote in message
.us.easynews.com...
On Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:33 GMT, "Mike" wrote:

I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to
obtain
viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self
germinating?



I think you meant self-pollonating, and most lettuce are.
Is this plant a hybrid? Was it the only lettuce you or your neighbors
grew? (Lettuce crosses very easily). Was this the plant that bolted
last?

Yep, I meant to say self pollinating.

No the lettuce isn't a hybrid, it was grown from seed planted directly from
a retail seed packet.

The plant was saved to obtain seeds because it showed the most robust
growth. I don't have all my lettuce growing in the same spot, this
particular Red leaf and a Butter head were finished first because they grew
in another area with more sunlight.

I'am still harvesting lettuce to eat in the somewhat shaded area. Which is
the only area I can plant in the ground, and is adjacent to my neighbor's
2-story house, on top of that the idiot likes to plant palm trees everywhere
blocking out more winter sunlight.

So, are you telling me these 2 different species of lettuce can cross
pollinate? I had 2 of each in different pots but since you told me, I now
have 1 of each that are sitting about 20 feet apart.

"Steve" wrote in message
.us.easynews.com...
On Fri, 01 May 2009 17:35:13 GMT, "Mike" wrote:


"Steve" wrote in message
s.us.easynews.com...
On Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:33 GMT, "Mike" wrote:

I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to
obtain
viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants
self
germinating?



I think you meant self-pollonating, and most lettuce are.
Is this plant a hybrid? Was it the only lettuce you or your neighbors
grew? (Lettuce crosses very easily). Was this the plant that bolted
last?

Yep, I meant to say self pollinating.

No the lettuce isn't a hybrid, it was grown from seed planted directly
from
a retail seed packet.

The plant was saved to obtain seeds because it showed the most robust
growth. I don't have all my lettuce growing in the same spot, this
particular Red leaf and a Butter head were finished first because they
grew
in another area with more sunlight.

I'am still harvesting lettuce to eat in the somewhat shaded area. Which
is
the only area I can plant in the ground, and is adjacent to my neighbor's
2-story house, on top of that the idiot likes to plant palm trees
everywhere
blocking out more winter sunlight.

So, are you telling me these 2 different species of lettuce can cross
pollinate? I had 2 of each in different pots but since you told me, I now
have 1 of each that are sitting about 20 feet apart.

Yes, unfortunately lettuce crosses very easily. The forum at
SeedSavers can offer some help with protecting and saving your seeds,
so that your results will fulfill your wishes.

"Steve" wrote in message
.us.easynews.com...
On Fri, 01 May 2009 17:35:13 GMT, "Mike" wrote:


"Steve" wrote in message
s.us.easynews.com...
On Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:33 GMT, "Mike" wrote:


So, are you telling me these 2 different species of lettuce can cross
pollinate? I had 2 of each in different pots but since you told me, I now
have 1 of each that are sitting about 20 feet apart.

Yes, unfortunately lettuce crosses very easily. The forum at
SeedSavers can offer some help with protecting and saving your seeds,
so that your results will fulfill your wishes.

Thanks I'll give it a look, and in the mean time put as much distance
between the 2 species as possible : )

"Mike" wrote:

Thanks I'll give it a look, and in the mean time put as much distance
between the 2 species as possible : )

A couple of thoughts: Suzanne Ashworth's "Seed to Seed*," which many of us
regard as Holy Writ, says all the florets in a head open at once and
essentially self-pollinate and shortly after close and never re-open. She
says side by side plants may cross as much as 5% if the flowers are open at
the same time and insects are active. I know the lady at the Seed Savers
Exchange farm doesn't worry much about the varieties in the greenhouse
there crossing. I haven't seen any crossing, but I only have a few
varieties and keep them 20 or 30 feet apart, along with my usual
lackadaisical planting methods, which make flowering time well spaced
out...

*If you're going to do much seed saving, get yourself a copy.


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G