Head lettuce Rolando [Lactuca sativa var. capitata]

The annual lettuce 'Rolando' forms large heads with a well-closed underside. Drought tolerant and hardy. Very delicate and buttery taste, with a slightly spicy aroma. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
The 'Rolando' lettuce is an annual, medium-early leaf vegetable that was selected in Germany in 1994 using old methods for drought tolerance and resilience. The robust, classic butter lettuce forms large heads with well-closed undersides. The shiny, fresh green leaves have a mild, juicy, very tender and buttery taste, with a slightly spicy aroma. Resistant to downy mildew. The variety can be harvested over a long period of time. For spring and autumn cultivation.

 General information 
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 80 days
Plant height approx.: 25 cm
Root type: Shallow rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 0°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 pre-cultivation from January to April or in autumn from September to November. The ideal location for the plants is sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from February to July is recommended. The plants are ideally placed in a sunny to partially shaded location.

 General recommendations 
We recommend 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 appear, then transplant them into the desired containers. After transplanting, allow the seedlings to grow at moderate temperatures until they are ready to be planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Lettuce 'Rolando' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a staggered harvest, several sowings at 4-week intervals are recommended. 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. capitata
English names: Head lettuce
German names: Kopfsalat
Portuguese names: Alface
Spanish names: Lechuga
French names: Laitue

 Origin 
Country: Portugal