Danstar Lettuce is an open-pollinated variety bred for hydroponic production, delivering crisp heads in just 55 days from transplants. This cool-season crop germinates best between 60 and 70°F, making it an excellent choice for spring and fall gardens in zones where temperatures remain moderate. With its compact bush habit and frost tolerance, Danstar can handle light frosts and rewards gardeners with reliable, consistent harvests when soil pH sits between 6.0 and 7.0.
—
—
?-?
?in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Danstar is specifically engineered for controlled-environment growing, which means it performs with remarkable consistency when conditions are right. The 55-day timeline from transplants allows for rapid succession planting every two to three weeks, ensuring you never run out of fresh lettuce. Its frost tolerance extends the growing season on both ends, and the conventional pelleted seed makes direct sowing and transplanting straightforward, though you'll want to use it within a year of purchase to maintain germination rates.
As a hydroponic specialist, Danstar excels in controlled indoor systems where precise environmental conditions can be maintained. Beyond commercial production, home gardeners with greenhouse or indoor growing setups will find this variety particularly reliable. It serves the fresh salad market well, offering tender leaves for mixed greens, whole head harvests, or cut-and-come-again harvesting throughout the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your desired transplant date. Maintain germination temperatures between 60 and 70°F, keeping conditions slightly moist but not soggy. Pelleted seed averages about 16,000 plants per ounce, so you'll have precise control over seedling density. Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed 2 to 3 true leaves and soil temperatures are at least 50°F. Space plants 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Danstar's frost tolerance means you can transplant earlier than warm-season crops, but avoid planting into soggy soil. Water gently after transplanting to settle soil around roots.
Direct sowing is possible, though pelleted seed is optimized for transplant production. If direct sowing, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs, typically within 7 to 10 days at optimal temperatures. Thin seedlings to 6-inch spacing once they develop their first true leaves.
Danstar reaches maturity in 55 days from the transplant stage. Harvest by cutting the entire head at soil level when it feels firm and full, typically when the outer leaves are vibrant green and turgid. Alternatively, use a cut-and-come-again method by harvesting outer leaves as needed while the plant continues to produce inner leaves. Harvest in early morning when plants are crisp and well-hydrated for the best quality and storage potential.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.