Batavia Lettuce American Brown [Lactuca sativa var. crispa]

The annual Batavia lettuce 'American brown' is a bolt-resistant leaf vegetable for year-round cultivation. Robust, fast-growing and also suitable for leaf lettuce cultivation. Mild and sweet taste. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer-autumn, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
The Batavia lettuce 'American brown' is an old annual, hardy vegetable plant for year-round cultivation from the USA. This robust and fast-growing lettuce variety is also suitable for leaf lettuce cultivation and shows reliable yields in warm and cooler temperatures. The delicious lettuce forms an upright rosette and is very bolt-resistant. The robust and fast-growing lettuce variety has tender, wavy and light green leaves on the inside that turn brown towards the outer leaf edge. The taste is sweet and mild with a crisp leaf structure. The variety can be harvested over a long period of time.

 General information 
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 50 days
Plant height approx.: 30 cm
Root type: Shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -15°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 5.5 to 6.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 14-18 °C
Germination time: 5-7 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 3-4 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Savory, Dill, Pea, Strawberry, Cucumber, Cabbage, Leek, Carrot, Radish, Horseradish, Rhubarb, Beetroot, Salsify, Tomato, Onion
Unfavorable mixed culture: Parsley, Celery

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation from January to May or in autumn from September to December. The ideal location for the plants is partial shade.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation from February to July. The ideal location for the plants is sunny to partially shaded.

 General recommendations 
Depending on the application, we recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation followed by planting at the specified planting distance. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and allow the seedlings to grow until the first visible lettuce leaves are visible, then prick them out into the desired container. After pricking out, allow the seedlings to grow at moderate temperatures until they are planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Batavia lettuce 'American brown' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a staggered harvest, several sowings at intervals of 4 weeks are recommended. Bolt-resistant. For a long harvest period, harvest 1/4 of the leaves from the outside to the inside and take care not to damage the heart in order to keep growth stable. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Occasional weeding helps the young plants to grow. Loose, nutrient-rich and moist soil is sufficient. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Lactuca sativa var. crispa
English names: Batavia lettuce
German names: Bataviasalat
Portuguese names: Alface batávia
Spanish names: Lechuga batavia
French names: Laitue Batavia

 Origin 
Country: Portugal