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Lettuce · Brassica rapa var. chinensis

Shikibu

Shikibu is a tall, upright head with long narrow leaves lettuce with fruit around 16-18". Ready from roughly day 45. Full sun to part shade. This one is a hybrid: buy seed each season instead of saving it.

Lettuce
45days to harvest
—days to germinate
Z5–9USDA zones
Easydifficulty
F1 hybrid

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
High — consistent moisture needed
Height
3 feet
Season
Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Dark purple with green undersides
Size
16-18"
Shape
Tall, upright head with long narrow leaves
Flavour
Purple lettuce with subtle complexity and tender leaves suitable for fresh consumption.

In the kitchen

Salads, fresh greens, garnish

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyJuly – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneJune – October
4——April – JuneJune – October
5——April – MayMay – November
6——April – MayMay – November
7——March – MayMay – November
8——March – AprilApril – December
9——February – MarchMarch – December
10——January – MarchMarch – December
11——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
12——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
13——January – FebruaryFebruary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

ChivesRepels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that commonly attack lettuce
MarigoldsDeters nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
CarrotsDifferent root depths allow efficient space use without competing for nutrients
RadishesQuick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters flea beetles
GarlicNatural pest deterrent that repels aphids and slugs
SpinachSimilar growing requirements and harvest timing, efficient garden space usage
NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, edible flowers
DillAttracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps

Avoid

BroccoliHeavy feeder that competes for nitrogen and can shade lettuce
SunflowersAllelopathic effects inhibit lettuce growth and creates excessive shade
Walnut treesProduces juglone which is toxic to lettuce and many other vegetables

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
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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the lettuce growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Shikibu?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Open the forum → Start a discussion

Similar varieties

Other lettuce with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Shikibu suits these too.

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