Rhubarb question.

[Ladygardener]

My 3 Rhubarb came when I was out today, Stockbridge Arrow. I've popped them into a big pot with some compost around them for the time being. All 3 are sprouting pink shoots with lime green baby leaves. They look like they've been forced. Should I continue to force them when I plant them or should I let the light at them. I've never grown them before and am surprised at how big the crown looks. Any help at all is greatly appreciated as always.

[Dutchy]

Let them have light LG.
Most Rhubarb have started growing by now and they like being in full soil because they grow big ( rephrase huge ) After some time they are such big clumbs you can divide again ( usually 5 years ).
The plants are full hardy. 1.5 meter high by 1 meter wide is not uncommon. Some think it is not ok to let them flower but they don't always do. I have still used the leaves despite the plant flowering and am still around There is no reason for not letting them. Pretty tall white flower stalks.
The leave stalks you eat should have been harvested before 21 june they say here due to things not being tasty after that and a mild toxine.
I hope you can at least make one pie with them your first year. But having three plants should give you that despite the plants needing some time to settle in.
Plant them in their proper place as soon as you have time.
Hope this helps.

[Ladygardener]

Dutchy you're a star, that information will see me right. I did'nt realise they grew so big. I'll take them to the allotment tomorrow. It's a pity they'd not arrived before I went today, I could have had them in. The forecast is rain tomorrow so I'll not have to worry much about watering them in. ;D

[farmersboy]

I agree with all Dutchy said LG,except i have always understood that you shouldnt pull any the first year

[jean]

Its really hard not to pull any stalks the first year. I planted out some from an autumn sowing, last spring and left them get on with it. The crowns are just starting to produce leaves again now but I will take it easy on cropping even in the 2nd year

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Jean and FB. I'll maybe not eat any this year but we'll see. If I don't pull the stalks to eat do I just leave them to get old on the plant? I'm hoping to get them into the ground today.

[farmersboy]

Yes LG,thats what i have done in the past,they will just rot away in the Autumn

[Ladygardener]

Thanks FB

[Dutchy]

I kind of drew the conclusion as the plants were ready bought they might be older then one year.
So then it is just replanting an older plant and that would not come to much harm when maybe three or four stalks are removed. That would be twelve from three and that can make a lovely small pie.
But if they are really that young yes restrain yourself and listen to FB ;D

[Ladygardener]

I planted them today at the allotment. I gave 1 away to a nice older man who has had his plot for ages and I always used to chat to him and gaze enviously at his work. ;D
I think you're right you know Dutchy, I don't think they're really young plants, they look as if they've been growing for a while according to the root/corm whatever you call it. ;D

[Dutchy]

Well done you.
Doesn't it feel good to share with people you like and whose garden/lottie you like?
I hope the plants do well for the both of you.

[farmersboy]

Crowns,they are called LG ;D

[Ladygardener]

;D Thanks Dutchy and FB .

[Dutchy]

I had only an ornamental one at MssK but a bloke further down has dug up his old crowns and was chucking the unwanted bits away.
I got one very healthy little chunk of him.
MssK's being mostly ornamental it now sits between a dwarf Pine and a Hosta. Can't help but grin at the combination and I hope it will grow there.

[Ladygardener]

I was at the allotment today and I'm delighted to see a few stalks and some big green leaves on both the Rhubarb. They seem to be settling in really well. Thanks again for the advice everyone. ;D

[Barbara]

Right, I've got a question for you Dutchy and FB, I don't want to sound thick but, ::)when you cut the stalks off that you want to make a pie with, do you have to do anything to the plant to protect where the cut is, and, do you just cut what you like the look of, or is there a method to it.

Thanks in advance.

[Rosefriend]

I don't have any rhubarb in the garden but I do remember having it from my Grandma, many many moons ago and we never cut it, just pulled it. She had hers in a couple of old dustbins..wonderful!!

Anyway I found this video which seems to explain things well.

www.videojug.com/film/how-to-harvest-rhubarb

RF

[Missredhead]

I have just watched that RF and I never knew that.... I thought that you just pulled them all off...not much for a pie in the first year then...

I'd love to try and grow Rhubarb but I really really don't have the room.

[Rosefriend]

Got a old dustbin??

RF

[farmersboy]

May 28, 2010 12:50:22 GMT Barbara said:

Right, I've got a question for you Dutchy and FB, I don't want to sound thick but, ::)when you cut the stalks off that you want to make a pie with, do you have to do anything to the plant to protect where the cut is, and, do you just cut what you like the look of, or is there a method to it.

Thanks in advance.

As RF said,you pull it Barbara i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cheesy.gif not cut

[Missredhead]

May 28, 2010 17:08:09 GMT Rosefriend said:

Got a old dustbin??

RF

Nope....and I got nowhere to put one anyway i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/rolleyes.gif

[Barbara]

Thanks Rose that was brill. I can see new crowns already on the plant given to me, I've got three, one bought at the garden center, the one given I split in half so they can be used this year all I need now is a custard lake .

[carolann]

I cut mine hoping it will kill the thing but it keeps going, I hate the stuff so give it away to friends who love it. ;D

[Ladygardener]

Well I've discovered my Rhubarb plants are not new and I've eaten some of the stalks already. I was really surprised at how sweet they were although of course I added sugar. I'm happy to say that they're now producing quite a few stalks each so I'll have Rhubarb crumble in a couple of weeks. ;D