Valerianella locusta 'Vit' (Lamb's lettuce 'Vit' )

Botanical name

Valerianella locusta 'Vit'

Other names

Mache 'Vit', Lamb's lettuce 'Vit' , Cornsalad 'Vit', Corn salad 'Vit', Fetticus 'Vit', Milk grass 'Vit', White pot-herb 'Vit'

Genus

Valerianella Valerianella

Variety or Cultivar

'Vit' _ 'Vit' is a rosette-forming annual grown for salad leaf production with erect stems bearing clusters of inconspicuous, white flowers and oval to oblong, edible, mid-to bright green leaves

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Rosette

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Colour

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Birds , Cutworms , Lettuce root maggot , Root aphid , Root knot eelworm , Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Lettuce downy mildew , Mosaic virus , Ring spot

General care

Propagation

Sow from lat summer into autumn and again in early spring. In milder areas, sow under cloches in winter. Sow seed 1cm deep. Harvest individual leaves or entire rosette when leaves reach edible size. Harvest entire plant when flower head emerges.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Valerianella locusta 'Vit' (Lamb's lettuce 'Vit' ) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Ensure there is adequate humus and moisture in the soil. Water regularly in dry periods. Fertilise regularly to keep leaves greener. Mulch in winter.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Valerianella locusta 'Vit' (Lamb's lettuce 'Vit' )

Common pest name

Necrotic spot

Scientific pest name

Impatiens necrotic spot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/