Rhubarb blanching

[derbex]

I planted a crown of Timperley Early last year,and, after fighting off the slugs & the flea beetles, it's doing quite well. This year I am trying to blanche it in a big chimnay pot to get thin pale sticks, but so far the sticks are rather thick and red. I've covered the chimney pot with a compost sack to keep light out of the top, but I was wondering if I need to let in just a little light to draw them up? Any ideas and comments welcome.

Interestingly (well if you're as sad as me), I planted a Victoria this year which isn't being attacked at all, wheras the Timperley has already had a couple of leaves eaten even though I covered it in ash to deter the slugs.

Jeremy

[derbex]

[fbgrifter]

i keep mine in complete darkness.

[dingerbell]

Remember the Mushroom Farming School of management on this one. Keep them completely in the dark and feed with a constant supply of Bull S..t.. ;D

[supersprout]

yep, another vote for the Mushroom School ;D

[derbex]

That's alright then -I'm used to being a mushroom.

Still, you just have to remember the 3Bs when dealing with management.  ;D

[jennym]

I use a compost container - the plastic dalek sort, and that is placed over the rhubarb.
The bottom end is open, so slips over easily, and then I put the lid on top, and put a brick on top to hold it down from heavy winds. This has the effect of producing long, succulent stems of rhubarb, which are sweet and well-blanched.

[dingerbell]

Exactly what I use and the advantage is that you can harvest your Pink pleasure sticks throgh the little hatch in the side.... ;D

[keef]

I hav'nt done this myself (rubabrb grows like weed on our allotments, so i dont bother growing it as there's plenty about), but im sure my grandad used to loosely stuff the chimney pot full of straw aswell.