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Full-size tall upright green romaine
Asteraceae
Organic leafy vegetable seeds
Organic 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Product code : BIOVO-0052
'Coastal Star' is full-size tall very upright romaine with large heavy heads of glossy blistered dark-green leaves. Wrapper foliage remains raised above soil and surrounds a pale tender well-blanched heart. Maturity ranges from 57 to 65 days according to production method; baby leaves harvest around 28 days. The variety has corky root rot and lettuce mosaic virus resistance plus heat tolerance. Sow small batches every two or three weeks to spread harvest. Spacing of 25–30 cm supports full heavy heads, while steady moisture and light summer shade preserve texture. Harvest early in the morning and chill promptly. Documented resistance never replaces rotation, airflow, or careful watering.
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Life cycle
- Annual vegetable
Discover the plant
Common nameGreen romaine lettuce, cos lettuce
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusLactuca
Speciessativa
CultivarCoastal Star
TypeFull-size tall upright green romaine
Botanical nameLactuca sativa
Reproducible seedsYes
Organic 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a full-size romaine known for very upright habit, dark-green colour, and large heavy heads. Glossy blistered wrapper leaves remain raised above soil while interior foliage surrounds a pale tender well-blanched heart. The head fills densely without becoming iceberg. Long crisp ribs, mild flavour, and good holding quality suit Caesar salad, sandwiches, wraps, grilling, and baby-leaf harvest. Its large heavy head provides several servings, while raised outer leaves remain easier to keep clean, inspect, and prepare for fresh family meals.
Direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked or start plants three to four weeks before transplanting. Barely cover seed and keep cool. Space plants 25–30 cm apart in rows 38–45 cm apart so large heads develop and air circulates. Choose loose fertile soil enriched with mature compost, moisture-retentive, and well drained. Grow in sun during cool seasons; despite heat tolerance, light afternoon shade and steady watering preserve tenderness in summer. Water transplants immediately and apply light mulch once the soil has warmed to moderate sudden moisture changes around shallow roots.
Maturity ranges from 57 to 65 days according to production method; baby leaves may be cut around 28 days. Harvest once the head is tall heavy and well filled before the central stem elongates. The variety has resistance to corky root rot and lettuce mosaic virus plus heat tolerance. These traits are not immunity. Rotate crops, ensure drainage, avoid splashing, and remove severely affected plants. Harvest early in the morning, wash between leaves, and chill heads promptly in a clean container. Inspect the heart before refrigerated storage in a clean bag.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
Barely cover, approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm (1/8 to 1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Thin to approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in), with 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) between rows
Germination temperature
Approximately 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F); germination declines sharply in warm soil
Germination time
Approximately 5 to 10 days at 10–20°C; temperatures above 24°C can reduce or delay germination.
Sowing period
Early spring as soon as soil can be worked; late summer for an autumn harvest
Propagation
Direct sowing or indoor sowing three to four weeks before transplanting
Growing method
Growing 'Coastal Star' lettuce from seed. Sow on fine moist soil and cover only 0.3–0.5 cm. Water at soil level before the shallow root zone dries deeply, but do not leave it saturated. Good access around 'Coastal Star' makes inspection and harvest easier, given its habit: large tall very upright dense semi-closed head. Choose sun in cool weather and light afternoon shade when heat would hasten bolting. Give 'Coastal Star' full sun to partial shade, and keep water from collecting around the crown or container base. Start only the number of transplants that can move outdoors before becoming root-bound. At final planting, space the crop thin to approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in), with 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) between rows; crowding extra plants reduces access. Feed moderately; soft, overfed leaves are harder to cool and store. For this lettuce, watch for long glossy blistered dark-green leaves with crisp ribs and a pale blanched heart and confirm maturity from colour, firmness, or size as appropriate. Use light mulch after establishment and keep material outside the crown. Harvest after dew dries, shade the leaves promptly, and remove bolting plants before the next succession. Harvest the rosette at the leaf, rosette, or head stage described for the product. Cut with a clean tool after dew dries, shade the harvest immediately, and remove bolting or diseased plants before they affect the next succession.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Care level
Easy
Watering
'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce has a compact, shallow root system, so keep the soil evenly moist while its long glossy blistered dark-green leaves with crisp ribs and a pale blanched heart develop. Water 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce gently at soil level, let the surface begin drying before the next irrigation, and never leave its crown in standing water. Direct 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce's water beside the rosette so it does not remain trapped in the forming head. Check container-grown 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce daily in warm wind, but empty its saucer promptly.
Soil type
'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce prefers a fine, fertile seedbed that stays evenly moist without becoming dense around its shallow roots. For 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce, blend mature compost through the upper root zone, level the surface, and remove hard clods before planting. Use approximately 6.0 to 6.8 as 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce's supplied pH target, testing before attempting to change it. Keep 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce's crown at soil level, avoiding a low pocket where water could collect inside the long glossy blistered dark-green leaves with crisp ribs and a pale blanched heart.
Fertilization
'Coastal Star' responds best to moderate fertility and even moisture. Let a soil test guide any corrective amendment. Heavy feeding makes 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce more vulnerable to stress. Split necessary feeding instead of using one strong dose. For Green romaine lettuce, its leafy harvest should grow steadily without becoming soft. Review growth stage before scheduling the next feeding. Stop feeding 'Coastal Star' well before the intended harvest. Correct drainage and moisture before increasing fertility. For 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce, its leaf rosette benefits from cool, consistently moist soil.
Moisture
Evenly moist soil without saturation
Seasonal care
Seasonal care for 'Coastal Star' lettuce. Use 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce’s stated sowing window as a frost-relative cue, not a universal date: early spring as soon as soil can be worked; late summer for an autumn harvest. Label the tray or row after sowing and barely cover with approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm of mix; seed generally emerges in 5 to 10 days in approximately 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F); germination drops sharply in warm soil, and slower seeds should not be disturbed. Prepare a fine, fertile, well-drained seedbed and keep the shallow root zone evenly moist from emergence onward. Once true leaves form, remove crowding and watch the centre for trapped moisture or early pest feeding. Water at soil level in the morning, avoiding both a dry crust and standing moisture inside the developing crown. 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce container guidance: at least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) deep and approximately 8 to 12 L per head. Set the pot where runoff can escape and light is adequate. During warm weather, afternoon shade and renewed sowings can preserve leaf quality, but no placement prevents bolting indefinitely. Check for slugs, chewing insects, and damaged outer leaves, using barriers and sanitation before considering any treatment on an edible crop. Follow the supplied harvest cue—approximately 28 days for baby leaves; 57 to 65 days for a full head—then cut while leaves are crisp and before the centre elongates or flavour turns strongly bitter. For an autumn crop, sow only when local summer heat is easing and enough growing time remains before persistent freeze. Remove bolted or diseased plants promptly, chill sound leaves after harvest, and leave the bed clean for the next succession.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
At least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) deep and approximately 8 to 12 L per head
Growing 'Coastal Star' lettuce in containers. For 'Coastal Star', choose a container matching this guide: at least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) deep and approximately 8 to 12 L per head. Keep several drainage holes unobstructed. Check the shallow root zone often and water before it dries deeply, always emptying the saucer. For 'Coastal Star', the expected harvest form—long glossy blistered dark-green leaves with crisp ribs and a pale blanched heart—helps confirm crop identity, while local warmth and plant health still influence maturity. Sow this lettuce thinly or transplant a sturdy seedling without burying the crown. Match the crop to full sun to partial shade and observe the actual hours of unobstructed light at the site. Use fresh, fine potting mix that holds steady moisture while allowing surplus water to escape. The planting has a habit described as large tall very upright dense semi-closed head; use this to guide positioning or selective thinning without forcing a cramped plant. Feed lightly only when growth or leaf colour shows a need. Keep thin to approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in), with 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) between rows around the rosette, especially where neighbouring foliage could shade or trap moisture. For this lettuce, harvest clean outer leaves while preserving the centre, or cut the whole plant at its intended stage with a clean knife. Cut clean leaves before bolting, cool them promptly, and remove diseased potting debris from reuse. Succession-sow another labelled container instead of keeping bolting the crop. Remove diseased mix from reuse, wash the pot, and cool every edible harvest promptly.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
Approximately 30 cm (12 in)
Width / spread
Approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in)
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Dark green outside with a naturally blanched pale-green heart
Foliage type
Large, dark-green, blistered upright leaves with crisp ribs
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Large tall very upright dense semi-closed head
Fragrance
Mild fresh crisp flavour typical of romaine lettuce
Bloom period
'Coastal Star' flowers only after shifting away from harvest growth. Keep the root zone evenly moist during bloom. As 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce bolts, leaf or root harvest quality changes. Good light and airflow help reproductive growth continue. For Green romaine lettuce, its seed stalk becomes taller and less harvest-focused. Correct heat or cold stress before adding fertilizer. For 'Coastal Star', leave selected blooms only when seed or insects matter. Do not treat every fallen blossom as disease. Lengthening days or stress can hasten 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce's bolting. Remove Green romaine lettuce before seed disperses if volunteers are unwanted.
Fruiting
Coastal Star's upright romaine leaves develop into the head used in salads. This leafy growth does not depend on fruit set. Watch the centre as harvest approaches and cut a usable head before a flowering stalk rises through it. A larger head is not automatically a better one if heat or age is reducing tenderness; timely picking protects the texture that makes romaine useful in the kitchen.
Days to maturity
Approximately 28 days for baby leaves; 57 to 65 days for a full head
Harvest
For baby leaves, cut at approximately 28 days and 8–12 cm while leaving the centre to regrow. For whole heads, begin checking around 55 days and generally harvest in 57–65 days once tall heavy dense and still tender. Cut at soil level early in the morning, retain a few intact wrapper leaves, and chill immediately. Wash only before use and refrigerate in a perforated bag. Harvest promptly if the centre elongates, the head loosens, or flavour becomes more bitter.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Maintain hand access around the large tall very upright dense semi-closed head for clean outer-leaf harvests. Use early radishes or onions between young 'Coastal Star' plants, then clear the space before leaves touch. A companion does not guarantee control of insects or disease, so inspect every crop separately. Follow 'Coastal Star' green romaine lettuce with an unrelated crop and keep diseased lettuce residue away from the next succession. Match irrigation to each root zone instead of watering the entire combination by habit. When arranging neighbours for 'Coastal Star', companions should organize space around the long glossy blistered dark-green leaves with crisp ribs and a pale blanched heart, not make washing, inspection, or rapid cooling more difficult. Reassess the arrangement around 'Coastal Star' as both crops approach mature size.
Plants to avoid
Parsley celery
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Leaves and tender centre, thoroughly washed; avoid very bitter bolted plants
'Coastal Star' lettuce in the kitchen. Grilled 'Coastal Star' romaine — Choose two firm heads with crisp green leaves. Trim only the dry end of each base so the leaves remain attached, rinse thoroughly, and spin dry. Cut the heads lengthwise into quarters. Whisk 30 mL olive oil with 15 mL lemon juice, one grated garlic clove, and black pepper, then brush a small amount on the cut faces. Grill over medium-high heat for 60–90 seconds per cut side, just long enough to mark the lettuce without making it limp. Arrange on a clean platter and spoon over the remaining dressing. Add cooked white beans, toasted breadcrumbs, and shaved Parmesan or a plant-based alternative to turn it into a light meal. Serve at once so the ribs stay crunchy. Never return grilled lettuce to the plate that held it before cooking if that plate contacted other raw foods. Discard slimy leaves, keep unused heads chilled and dry, and refrigerate leftover toppings separately rather than storing the assembled warm salad.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
Is 'Coastal Star' a mini-romaine?
No. It is full-size romaine reaching approximately 30 cm tall and forming one large heavy head. It therefore needs approximately 25–30 cm between plants and more space than Little Gem. It may be harvested young, but natural size is a large upright romaine. Dark-green wrapper leaves surround a pale well-blanched heart and ribs remain thick and crisp through maturity. Harvest early in the morning, keep the head shaded, and chill it promptly. Wash carefully between leaves before serving and discard every slimy, mouldy, or abnormal-smelling portion. Preserve the compact heart until preparation and serve promptly after washing. Keep unwashed heads whole until needed.
Why do sources list 57 or 65 days?
The 57-to-65-day timing varies with transplanting, direct seeding, and conditions. Direct seeding, temperature, day length, and desired size change timing. Begin checking around 55 days instead of waiting for one rigid date. A tall heavy dense head is ready; harvest earlier if heat causes centre elongation. After cutting, wash between leaves, dry them, and refrigerate without delay. Do not leave one mature head in the garden for several days when heat is forecast because its texture may deteriorate quickly. Inspect each successive batch regularly and harvest before the centre elongates. Keep the harvested head shaded, wash it carefully, and chill it promptly after cutting.
Which resistances are documented for 'Coastal Star'?
The variety has resistance to corky root rot and lettuce mosaic virus. This corky root resistance is also sometimes shown as IR:Rs. Resistance is not immunity and does not automatically cover downy mildew, Fusarium, or other problems. Improve drainage, rotate crops, provide airflow, and promptly remove severely affected plants. Water near the soil to limit splashing, provide enough spacing, and clean tools before moving from an affected area to a healthy one. Continue inspecting each succession because other diseases or strains may still appear when conditions favour them. Documented resistance does not cover every threat. Keep records of symptoms and affected bed locations.
How can poor summer germination be avoided?
Summer germination of Coastal Star improves when the seed, not just the air, stays near 10–20°C. Moisten the row in advance, sow at the cool end of the day, and cover only 0.3–0.5 cm. Use light elevated shade and a fine spray to keep the surface cool and damp through the 7–10-day germination period. Remove the shade progressively once shoots appear so seedlings receive light without suddenly overheating. For a persistent hot spell, start seed in a cool indoor tray, then transplant while roots are still loose. Coastal Star is a full-size romaine, so thin to 25–30 cm rather than leaving the dense spacing used for mini types. Keep the crown at soil level and water gently after transplanting. Baby leaves can be harvested earlier, but a full head requires a longer 57–65-day period; sowing after temperatures moderate may produce the stronger crop.
Can 'Coastal Star' be grown in a container?
Yes. Use a well-drained pot or box at least 25–30 cm deep and allow approximately 25–30 cm per mature head. Rich but light potting mix limits waterlogging and remains easy to irrigate. Place the container in sun during cool weather, then light partial shade during strong heat. Check moisture daily because shallow roots dry quickly. For one large well-filled head, keep one plant per usable space and hold the crown above the mix. Harvest the whole head when dense, tall, and tender, before the centre elongates, and chill it promptly. A second sowing started two or three weeks later can replace the harvested plant.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Coastal Star provides food as a crisp romaine head, not as a pollinator plant. Once bolting starts, a branched stalk bears small yellow flowers that insects may visit, while leaf quality falls quickly. Letting one surplus plant bloom can offer brief interest, but harvesting on time and growing separate nectar plants better serves both kitchen and wildlife goals.
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