Yesterday morning I lifted a lettuce, on passing the compost heap (ouch) I
dropped off the rough outers and the chopped stump.

I guy on a neighbouring allotment, showed me his experiment with lettuces.
In addition to sowing fresh seed for continuity, he is also propagating by
leaving the old stump in the ground. The taller plants, furthest from the
camera, are his earliest cuttings:-
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...e/IMG_2227.jpg

As you can see, new leaves are sprouting from the East side of the stump:-
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...e/IMG_2226.jpg

Q. Has anyone else tried this? Did the lettuce run-to-seed, become exhausted
or form perfect plants? This particular variety is 'Little Gem'
I guess only time will tell - I'll report back later in the season if
un/successful. TIA
Bertie