Is this normal for Cos Lettuce?

[teddybay-o]

I'm growing some Little Gem Cos lettuce and have several seedlings which are lovely and green. However they're very thin and spindly, and get bowled over evertime I try to spray them with water. Am I giving them too much sun or are they meant to be like this at seedling stage?

Just now they have two opposing leaves and the stems are about 3-4cm above the soil.

If I am giving them too much sun, what is the best course of action as I assume they still need sun to remain alive.

Thanks for your help!

[Nicola_D]

Hi Teddybay-o

I don't think I've grown cos before, but the lettuces I have grown have always started off like you describe, very spindly and weak looking. I'm growing in containers and last year I think I planted too many seeds into one container and then managed to knock the whole thing over at some point so they didn't really work, but this year I just planted 3 and put them into 1 large pot and they've been fab, I've planted some more a few weeks ago (again far too many in one pot and so will be thining them out soon) i'll see if I can get a picture to show you.

Nicola

[Nicola_D]

Here are some pics,

1st one is my lettuce seedlings

2nd one is the 3 lettuce plants I put in one pot, I was doubtful at first as like you said they were spindly and not very strong looking for a few weeks, but then the main stem thickened up and we've had loads of salad from them. I planted them in April, but only started harvesting them about 4 weeks ago.

The 3rd pic is another lettuce I have, which my MIL gave me as a seedling, it's been growing in my mini greenhouse which might explain why it's so tall and we haven't had as many leaves from this one.