Salad Expedition (Expedition) is an early leaf lettuce chicory variety of Frise type, developed by the Dutch breeding company Rijk Zwaan. This variety is intended for cultivation in open ground and is suitable for all-season cultivation, including spring, summer, and autumn periods, as well as under cover. The maturation period is approximately 40 days, with the plant exhibiting rapid growth and high productivity. The weight of the leaf rosette reaches about 500 grams, with yields of 2.5 to 3 kg per square meter. Leaves are deep green, deeply lobed, crisp and juicy, with a pleasant mild flavor without bitterness, making the salad especially attractive for fresh consumption and culinary use. The Expedition variety has high resistance to major lettuce diseases, including mosaic virus, downy mildew, various strains of false powdery mildew (Bremia lactucae), internal necrosis, and lettuce aphid. It adapts well to temperature fluctuations, withstands heat and minor frosts down to -5 degrees, ensuring stable yields and prolonged harvest. The plant forms a compact, large open-type rosette with glossy leaves, containing four times more leaf mass compared to traditional varieties. Thanks to its high plasticity and resistance, the variety is suitable for cultivation on various soil types and in different climatic conditions. For successful cultivation of Expedition lettuce, seeds should be sown at a depth of 1–1.5 cm at a germination temperature of +16–+17 degrees. Main care includes regular and properly regulated watering, preventing both soil drying and waterlogging, as well as loosening, weeding, and thinning seedlings if necessary. The lettuce tolerates mechanical harvesting and long-term storage, maintaining its appearance and flavor qualities. Due to its dietary and beneficial properties, as well as its excellent sweet taste, the Expedition variety is widely used for fresh market sales, processing, and preparation of various dishes.
