Chalupa Lettuce is an exclusive romaine variety from Johnny's Selected Seeds that combines the crisp, tender character of classic romaine with a notably sweet flavor and impressive bolt tolerance. Ready to harvest in just 45 days from transplants, this open-pollinated cultivar thrives in cool weather and produces compact heads with excellent texture. Its unique balance of early maturity, heat resistance, and reliable performance makes it a standout choice for gardeners seeking a dependable romaine that holds up through variable growing conditions.
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The sweet flavor and exceptional bolt tolerance set Chalupa apart in the romaine family, delivering reliability even as temperatures climb. At just 45 days to maturity from transplants, you'll cycle through multiple harvests in a single season. Johnny's exclusive breeding has captured a romaine that germinates reliably below 70°F and maintains its quality longer than more delicate lettuce types, storing well for up to 20 days in proper conditions.
Chalupa Lettuce is grown for fresh eating as a salad green or as whole heads. Its crisp, tender leaves work well in composed salads, wraps, and any preparation where you want the structural integrity and sweet flavor of romaine. The compact growth habit and reliable maturity also make it suitable for continuous succession planting to ensure a steady supply of fresh lettuce throughout the cool season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your transplant date, keeping germination temperatures between 60 and 70°F (16 to 21°C). Sow seeds thinly on moist seed-starting mix, pressing lightly into the surface. Maintain cool conditions as seeds germinate below 70°F for best results. Seedlings are ready to transplant once they develop their first true leaves.
Transplant seedlings outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring, since Chalupa is frost-tolerant. Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Space transplants according to your desired head size, following spacing guides for compact romaine varieties. The variety averages 16,000 plants per ounce, giving you precise control over planting density.
Harvest Chalupa Lettuce 45 days after transplanting when heads reach full size and feel firm to gentle pressure. Cut heads at soil level with a sharp knife, or harvest outer leaves first if you prefer a longer production period. For maximum tenderness and crispness, harvest in early morning when leaves are fully hydrated. The excellent bolt tolerance means you have a wider window to harvest before the plant flowers, compared to more heat-sensitive romaine varieties.
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