how and when to split an enormous rhubarb crown

[misterphil]

Hello all again!

I've taken over part of another allotment, and, at the bottom is the most enormous crown of rhubarb - without exagerating, it is at the very least 2-3 feet across. It was big enough that a squash plant grew up the centre of it, and the squashes (1ft diameter) were left suspended!

I want to split it - but how? To dig it out would be a mamoth task, but equally, if I could split it, I'd get even more rhubarb (the plan!)

Any ideas for how/when would be gratefully received

thanks

[misterphil]

[tim]

I just binned pages of advice on Rhubarb! But there's a bit here - & elsewhere.
http://gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_1a_rhubarb.asp

[Robert_Brenchley]

The best time is about now. Get a spade and use it to split the clump into 3-4 sections, which can be dug out separately. If you try to get it out in one then split it afterwards, it may be too big to lift. Once it's out, cut out any old material you don't want, trim it into however many bits you do want, and replant. Remember to leave at least a couple of buds in each section. As long as you take it out in bits, it's not that hard a job.

[cambourne7]

Hi

You can pop it on ebay for buyer collects :-)

The are selling at the moment...

Cambourne7

[RobC]

About this time last year I was given a rhubarb crown that was about the same size as yours.  I dug it up (I could only just about lift it!)  I cut it in two with a clean wood saw and planted immediately.

This year I didn't pull any stalks to ensure that it recovered (having said that it did so well that I probably could have).

Also, take the opportunity to give the planting hole a good helping of manure.

[DolphinGarden]

Hello,

I could cut and paste RobC's post and use it as my own...with the exception that towards the end of June I took some stalks out just to open it up a bit and get some air circulation (and made some crumble delicious). I am sorely tempted to get the ailing stalks now and try and make some rhubarb jam. Any suggestions? Is it too late?

C.

[Robert_Brenchley]

You're not supposed to use it when there's an 'R' in the month as the oxalic acid concentration increases towards the end of the season. That being said, I've occasionally eaten it at this time of ywear with no ill effects.

[saddad]

We split an old one last year and the left over bits were potted up in florist buckets and sold for a fiver each at our open day...
;D

[cambourne7]

We split an old one last year and the left over bits were potted up in florist buckets and sold for a fiver each at our open day...
;D

Great news :-) As you might remember i got 4 out of 5 seeds to germinate.  The crowns are in the ground and next summer i will get able to harvest :-)

I have been considering trying the rest of the crowns and then selling them on ebay, but an open day sounds like a great idea :-)

[saddad]

Some of the old guard moaned at the price.. I said there was a pot and alot of compost to pay for... they all went. As did the Jostaberry cuttings!
8)

[cambourne7]

what does jostaberry taste like???

[saddad]

You'd struggle to tell them apart from Blackcurrants, by taste but are much larger berries, larger plants and more heavy crop. About 25lbs from one bush after three years.... great jam!
They don't get reversion and don't get mildew... being a gooseberry/currant cross, no thorns either!
Only problem is vigour, one will grow to 8 foot each way if not pruned regularly. I have them down one side of the plot, try to fan them, just cut off whole branches to pick, less bending! They always take when struck as cuttings!
8)

[cambourne7]

next time you take some cuttings let me know :-)