PI 273606 Lactuca sativa "Treibsalat Presto"
PI 273606 is Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and this variety is called "Treibsalat Presto." It originated in Germany and came to me via the Washington State University (facility W6). The label on the envelope indicates 2012i, which I assume means the seeds were harvested in 2012. Each seed measures 4mm long by 1mm wide and is light tan in color. Our envelope contained 472 seeds, weighing .6g. Quite a lot more than the 50 seeds the website said would be sent.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2014, I planted five seeds into a recycled indoor container. It has been placed in a warm location with indirect sunlight. Once seedlings sprout, the container will be moved under a grow light.
On Friday, March 7, 2014, all five seeds have germinated and little sprouts are up and growing! That's 100% germination rate in just three days. They are currently .5-1cm tall.
On Saturday, March 8, 2014, all five seedlings now arch toward the grow light. Having never grown lettuce before, it seems they're growing pretty quickly. They are exceeding the growth and germination rates of the other two varieties planted at the same time. Seedlings now measure 1-2cm tall.
Sunday, March 9, 2014 - the five sprouts are now opening up to display both of their first leaves. Seedlings are 1.5-3cm tall.
Monday, March 10, 2014 - the tallest seedling has now reached 5cm tall.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 - Seedlings now measure 25-50mm tall. the tallest seedling remains the same height as yesterday, but shows more leaf growth.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - The tallest seedling is 3cm tall (stem alone) or 4.5cm measured with leaves. The smallest is 1.5 and 2.5 (stem and with leaves). The leaves are now 1-1.5cm long, with third leaves coming in at around 5mm long.
Thursday, March 13, 2014 - Seedlings now measure 3, 4, 5, and 5cm tall from base to tip of third leaf. The new third leaves are now the same size as the two original leaves.
Friday, March 14, 2014 - Stems measure 2-3cm, leaves are 2-3.5cm each.
Saturday, March 15, 2014 - The third leaves are now longer than the first two, and a fourth leaf is sprouting on all five seedlings. The seedlings average 6cm tall, about 3.5cm being the middle leaf (2.5cm stems).
Sunday, March 16, 2014 - Seedlings have 1, 2, 2, 2, and 3cm stems, 4, 5, 5, 5, and 5.5cm long third leaves, and 4th leaves now measure 1.25, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, and 2cm.
Monday, March 17, 2014 - Seedlings have 1, 2, 2, 2, and 3cm stems, 4.5, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5, and 5.5cm long third leaves, and the fourth leaves are now the same size as the original two (2, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5cm).
Thursday, March 20, 2014 - The seedlings continue to grow long leaves on spindly stems. They can barely hold themselves upright anymore.
Saturday, April 5, 2014 - The seedlings are really taking off. I'm not sure I'd even call them seedlings anymore. The long soft leaves look ready to harvest, but not knowing the full potential of this variety, I will let them continue to grow. They now overflow the gallon container they were planted in and are thick enough that it is difficult to see the base of the stems. The largest leaves are now measuring 6-3/4 to 7-1/4 inches long. The leaves are a nice bright green color.
By mid-May this variety was starting to bolt. The leaves were so bulky they started to get caught on the edge of the container and die underneath. Plant was harvested (not eaten) before flowers formed. This variety will be planted outdoors in the spring to see how it does with Minnesota weather. Indoor experiment - a success!