The "Raspberry Ball" lettuce is an early-maturing leaf variety with a vegetative period ranging from 25 to 45 days, depending on growing conditions. The lettuce rosette is compact, with a diameter of 20 to 26 cm, raised and very leafy, consisting of approximately 15 ruffled, wavy leaves. The leaves have a bright green color with dark raspberry pigmentation along the edges, giving the plant a decorative and attractive appearance. The weight of one rosette varies from 130 to 200 grams. The leaves are juicy, crisp, and have a slightly sweet taste, making this lettuce an excellent choice for fresh consumption.
The "Raspberry Ball" variety is distinguished by its high frost resistance and resistance to bolting, which allows it to be grown both in open ground and in greenhouses year-round. For sowing, it is recommended to use warmed soil with a temperature of about 15-18°C; seeds are sown at a depth of 1-1.5 cm with a distance between plants of about 20 cm and row spacing of 25-30 cm. Care of the plants includes regular weeding and thinning, and for continuous harvest, seeds are planted in several stages. The harvest is collected in 3-4 pickings, preferably on dry weather for better storage.
This lettuce is widely used in cooking due to its taste qualities and decorative appearance. The leaves of "Raspberry Ball" are suitable for preparing salads, sandwiches, and decorating various dishes. Thanks to good transportability and marketable qualities, the variety enjoys stable demand on the market throughout the year.
