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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: 2Daves Growing on April 20, 2006, 20:21:14

Title: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: 2Daves Growing on April 20, 2006, 20:21:14

hi, I could do with some advice about my rhubarb plants.  The leaves on my young rhubarb are bright pink/reddy colour, is this normal?  I always thought they were green or should i be worried? Hope you can help!

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: jennym on April 20, 2006, 20:49:37

They'll green up as they get older you should find.

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: 2Daves Growing on April 20, 2006, 20:55:28

Cheers

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 20, 2006, 21:07:35

That sounds perfectly healthy.

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: supersprout on April 21, 2006, 04:40:39

Yes, they are a pinky red when small, and go green when they are exposed to light.

I read once that young ladies in Victorian times were not allowed to wander in the vegetable garden when the rhubub were sprouting because of the suggestive shape and colour of the sprouts. It was OK if the rhubub was covered by forcing pots.

True or not, I think it's a charming story ;D

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: Curryandchips on April 21, 2006, 08:50:07

The unfolding of rhubarb and the colour shift is one of the little delights I get at this time of year. Simple things please me ...

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: supersprout on April 21, 2006, 13:37:46

But asparagus are green and small jen so there would be little danger of invidious comparisons ;)

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: cleo on April 21, 2006, 16:05:08

So-I see a topic. Wonder if it is a question about putting rhubarb leaves on the compost bin?-yes it`s OK.

Can you make a homemade pesticide from rhubarb leaves?-yes but it`s illegal ;D

Read the topic-it`s OK -that`s natural.

Read on-talk about `land girls` :P

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: bennettsleg on April 21, 2006, 16:11:24

Quote from: cleo on April 21, 2006, 16:05:08

So-I see a topic. Wonder if it is a question about putting rhubarb leaves on the compost bin?-yes it`s OK.

Can you make a homemade pesticide from rhubarb leaves?-yes but it`s illegal ;D

Why is it illegal?
if using rhubarb leaves is illegal, then so is using f*g-ends to make a nicotene spray. 
Can you explain further? ???

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: cleo on April 21, 2006, 16:17:12

EEC regs-but I`ll wait to see if I get prosecuted. I`m not joking btw.

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: Motherwoman on April 21, 2006, 16:19:39

It's not on the EU list of approved pesticides so you are not allowed to use it,crazy in't it?.....

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: bennettsleg on April 21, 2006, 16:44:19

Right, I shall now make sure I make it, store it, ditribute it and use it......

Title: Re: Rhubarb Leaves
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 21, 2006, 17:51:04

It's perfectly OK to put rhubarb leaves in the compost bin, if you don't have any weeds you want to put one on top of to discourage it that is.