X-Post from Gardening Group: Help! Mystery Plant growing in our garden!

[kdmorris]

So, my husband and I finally got off our lazy bums and planted a garden. One of the veggies I love is Butter Lettuce. So, I bought something that looked like (and said it was!) Butter Lettuce and put it in the ground. For a while, I didn't think the plant was going to make it but then it took off. Except...it's NOT Butter Lettuce. It's now 27" tall and has clusters of flowers (that look a little like broccoli). These clusters then grow out into long stems with yellow flowers on the end of them. They are edible, as I tasted one of the leaves, when I still thought it was Butter Lettuce. It was very bitter, but I'm not dead. There are four distinct stalks of this stuff growing. Here's a picture:



Anyone know what the hell this is?

[vino]

1. It looks like your lettuce

has bolted. Here is a picture of a lettuce that has bolted to seed.

[bicentennial_baby]

2. Agreed

[kdmorris]

3. Bolted, huh?

After all I've done for it??????

I've been betrayed. Does that mean it's not good and I should just pull it up, or can I plant the seeds?

[vino]

4. Just pull it up

and start again. Don't let it get too dry that usually causes bolting.

[kdmorris]

5. I read a couple of sites that also said

it could be due to the heat. Since we live in South Florida, I think we will try again in Autumn.

[momto3]

6. Good idea to wait until fall.

I live in middle TN and cannot grow lettuce in summer. I get good crops before June and after Aug. You can probably grow lettuce and spinach all winter long in Florida, as lond as you do not get an over night deep freeze.

Good luck!
:hi: