Just harvested first head of romain-has white milky sap coming from core?
Question:I just cut the first head. It did not close, but it is very large. I looked it up online and website said it depended on the weather-the warmer it is the less your lettuce will close.
Mine didn't, but here it has been in the 80's and 90's. It is tall and green. Looks delicious. I cut it 1 inch from the ground (half way thru the core) and it was juicy. I looked at it and there was white milky sap-like stuff coming from it.
I used an prganic 'pesticide' on it, but sparingly. It smelt like a glazed doughnut! But this sap does not smell like that.
Is this normal? Thanks,
1st time gardener!
Answers:
Milky sap is normal for freshly cut lettuce.
Good luck with your garden.
Most lettuce varieties emit milky sap, according to the Laurentian Environmental Center. "If a milky sap appears at the break you can be assured that it is a lettuce or similar species that is edible."
The link below also mentions that dandelions do the same thing, and are edible & nutritious. The milk is a sedative, so don't milk & drive! (just kidding) :)
Yes! That milky sap is normal and found in lettuces including the Romaine lettuce (also called Cos lettuce) - botanical name Lactuca sativa var. longifolia (Lactuca "lettuce" from the Latin word lactis meaning "milk; sativa "cultivated" and longifolia "long leaves"). You can harvest Romaine as soon as it is big enough - I pick the outer leaves as I need them. Romaine tolerates heat better than most lettuces, so slower to bolt (go to see). The milky sap of older leaves may taste bitter but is edible and not bad for you. Enjoy!
White sap is totally normal. It surprised me too the first time I saw it! Congrats on using organics only, you're not only helping your health, but the environmental health as well.
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