PI 491008 Lactuca sativa WP 011
PI 491008 is Lactuca sativa (lettuce), and it's given name appears to be "WP 011" though in its native Turkey, they refer to it as "Marul." It is a romaine lettuce. This variety came to me through the Washington State University (facility W6). The envelope indicated 2011i (inventory from 2011 I believe). The seeds are light beige/white and measure 5mm long and 1-2mm wide. There were 419 seeds in the envelope, though the website suggested there would be 200. All 419 seeds together weigh .5 gram.
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 Saturday, March 8, 2014, one seedling has sprouted, currently measuring 2cm tall. That gives a germination rate of 20% at four days past planting. I have not moved the container to the light yet, as I'm hoping for more sprouts to come up before exposing the soil to the heat that will inevitably dry it somewhat.
Sunday, March 9, 2014 - Still only one seedling (20% germination rate at five days after planting). This seedling has more than doubled in height in the last 24 hours, now measuring 5cm, and nearly reaches the rim of the container now.
Monday, March 10, 2014 - A second seedling has sprouted, bringing germination rate to 40% at six days. The taller seedling remains at 5cm.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 - Still only two seedlings, which puts germination at 40% for one week after planting. The taller seedling is now 6cm, while the smaller is 2cm. They are growing leggy (on the ground, not upwards) despite being close to the grow light.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - The longer seedling measures 6cm without leaves, and 7.5cm with leaves (leaves measure 1.5cm). The shorter seedling measures 1.5cm without leaves, and 2cm with leaves (leaves measure .5cm).
Still only two seedlings (40% germination). The leaves have separated on both seedlings.
Still only two seedlings (40% germination). The leaves have separated on both seedlings.
Thursday, March 13, 2014 - Seedlings measure 3 and 7.5cm (with leaves). I have moved the container closer to the light.
Friday, March 14, 2014 - Seedlings measure 3.5 and 7.5cm (measured with leaves). The smaller seedling has turned toward the light, but the larger seedling didn't, so I carefully moved it toward the light to give the foliage more direct light. A third seedling has broken the surface just beside the identification sign. This puts germination at 60% at 10 days after planting.
Saturday, March 15, 2014 - The seedlings measure 1cm, 4cm (splits to leaves at 2.5cm), and 8cm (splits to leaves at 5.5cm).
Sunday, March 16, 2014 - The seedlings measure:
1.5cm
5cm, splits to leaves at 3cm
9cm, splits to leaves at 6cm
1.5cm
5cm, splits to leaves at 3cm
9cm, splits to leaves at 6cm
Monday, March 17, 2014 - The seedlings measure:
2cm
5cm, splits to leaves at 3cm
9cm, splits to leaves at 6cm - this one was un-rooted accidentally and replanted.
2cm
5cm, splits to leaves at 3cm
9cm, splits to leaves at 6cm - this one was un-rooted accidentally and replanted.
Thursday, March 20, 2014 - the two larger seedlings have produced third leaves, and the largest seedling now has a fourth leaf as well. The smaller seedling has doubled in size. A fourth seedling has now sprouted, bringing the germination rate to 80% at 16 days after planting.
Saturday, April 5, 2014 - Only two seedlings remain. The one that was accidentally uprooted shriveled up and died, and the fourth seedling died almost as soon as it came up. The remaining seedlings are long and leggy, despite getting 12+ hours of light per day under the grow light. They do not look like they'd be any good for harvesting or eating at this point, and their slow growth makes me wonder if they will ever bush out or produce bigger leaves.
Both remaining plants struggled, wilted and died. I will try this variety outside this spring to see if it fares any better.
As of 5/13/15, I have planted one square foot of the shade garden with Marul seeds.
None of the lettuces planted in that area came up. I believe it to be a poor location, and not a seed problem. I will try again next year in a new location.
None of the lettuces planted in that area came up. I believe it to be a poor location, and not a seed problem. I will try again next year in a new location.