Red Express Cos
Red Express Cos is a hybrid lettuce variety (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia 'Red Express Cos'). Harvest begins around day 48-55; seed germinates in 6-10 days. Set plants 6-8 inches apart. Grow in soil pH 6.0-7.0, zones 2-11, full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours). Plants reach 6-12 inches. It will crop in a container. Hybrid seed does not come true, so it has to be bought fresh each season rather than saved.
Sowing
Direct seed in early spring or fall. Can start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Best color development in cool weather.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
- Water
- 1 inch per week, even moisture
- Soil
- Well-drained, fertile soil amended with compost
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 6-8 inches
- Height
- 6-12 inches
- Season
- Cool season
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Green leaves with red edges and red tinges, intensifying in cool weather
- Size
- 8-10 inches tall, 5-7 inches wide
- Shape
- Upright mini romaine heads with elongated leaves
- Flavour
- Crisp, sweet, and mild with tender texture
In the kitchen
Baby romaine salads, grilling, Caesar salads, garnish, whole leaf wraps
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Aphids, flea beetles, cutworms, slugs
- Diseases
- Downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, bacterial leaf spot
- Resistance
- Good bolt resistance and tip burn tolerance
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | July – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | July – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | June – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | April – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | March – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 0.742
- Fat (g)
- 0.0738
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 3.37
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 20.5
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.0401
- Calcium (mg)
- 14.2
- Iron (mg)
- 0.0332
- Magnesium (mg)
- 6.31
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 19.2
- Potassium (mg)
- 139
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.173
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Red Express Cos?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.