Question
Hi, we live in SW Florida.  We had planted iceberg head lettuce about two months ago.  The plants are thriving and some are almost 2 feet tall, however there is no sign of head development.  The plants look like they are leaf lettuce instead of head lettuce.  When should we see head development, and what problem if any is there for no development? Thanks, Tammi

Answer
Tammi:

I'm having a hard time picturing 2 foot tall lettuce. Are you seeing stalks? What has your weather been like?

Lettuce is a cool-season vegetable and will "bolt" if the temperatures get too high. The plants will send up a central stalk and soon flower. They are worthless for eating by this time.

Heads should have begun to develop almost immediately, though loosely at first. The center leaves would be curling under, into each other, and getting denser as the head grows. I don't think you will see any heads on your plants at this point.

Do you know what variety you are growing? Did you plant them from seed or buy plants? Usually area nurseries will provide varieties suitable for the local area, but mass-merchant stores will not always be a specialized. Some varieties are more heat-tolerant than others.

Elyse