The Lollo Rosso lettuce is an early-maturing semi-heading leaf variety that forms lush rosettes with large, ruffled leaves in red-green colors. The vegetation period is about 40-50 days, allowing for a quick harvest. The lettuce leaves feature a crunchy texture, a piquant taste, and a delicate juiciness, making this variety popular for preparing fresh salads, as well as for use in soups, pickling, and marinating. The plant has an average height, with heads reaching approximately 25 cm, and a weight ranging from 190 to 300 grams.
This variety is characterized by high cold hardiness and can be grown in open ground, greenhouses, or on hydroponic systems. Seeds germinate at temperatures from +5°C, while the optimal growth temperature is +18-20°C. Lollo Rosso tolerates frost down to -5°C, allowing it to be planted as early as the beginning of spring. The plant prefers neutral or slightly acidic, fertilized soils with good moisture and fertility. Successful cultivation requires moderate watering, soil loosening, and thinning; however, fertilization may not be necessary if planted in prepared soil.
Lollo Rosso lettuce has resistance to diseases such as lettuce mosaic, powdery mildew, and necrosis, as well as bolting, which eases care and increases yield. The variety features good transportability and enjoys high demand in the fresh vegetable market. Thanks to its beneficial properties, including potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, zinc, magnesium, and folic acid, Lollo Rosso lettuce is not only tasty but also a useful product for the daily diet.
