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I was having issues with leaf end tip burn this winter growing Henderson’s black seeded lettuce. I think the dry air was causing salts to build up on the leaf tips. I switched to growing Salanova and have really liked the results so far, should be ready to start harvesting in another week or two

leaf end tip burn lettuce

leaf end tip burn lettuce

I have some salvanova also but a bit of leaf tip burn showed up. Some where I read to increase air circulation. A small fan has helped with the second crop.

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Tip burn is caused by one or more of these problems. Not enough calcium is the most common cause, however low calcium can be caused by low or high pH. Lettuce in particular needs the pH managed between 6.2 and 6.4. That allows optimum nutrient availability. Low calcium may also be because of too weak of nutrients. Black seeded Simpson grows on the lower side of 1.4 to 1.75 EC. The last cause of tip burn is lack of air movement over the lettuce.

Lettuce grows from the inside. All new leaves appear from the center of the plant. As a lettuce plant grows it uses CO2 to form sugars and cell walls. But as a plant grows, photosynthesis converts CO2 to O2 the O2 is pure oxygen and needs to be removed so the leaves can get CO2. This production of O2 creates a microclimate in the middle of the lettuce plant. That microclimate is removed outdoors by wind and temperature changes. Indoors you need a fan to do this.

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Your lights aren’t burning them are they?

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    • Ian Curry

      I don’t think so. I’ve grown under the same lights for over a year without an issue. Some are t5 and some led.