rhubarb,new and old when to pull

[elvis2003]

we have some old,inherited rhubarb,that we moved and split,all coming up healthy yet small,compared to everyone elses,and some new crowns(?) that we just planted,and tried to force.the new stuff is spindly,and very pink,are we ok to pull it?it looks so delicious??? are we to leave it till next year and thus resist its temptations?any help gratefully recieved,thanks,rach x

[elvis2003]

[Robert_Brenchley]

It sounds as though it would be better left.

[saddad]

Leave it alone this year to build up the roots... cadge some from a neighbour..
;D

[caseylee]

sorry to invade your question, my rhubard was not growing well at all at home, I have dug it up as its only just 2 years old ( never had a crop from it) and put it inot a large container with good soil and fertilizer, do you think it will die or survive this

[paulinems]

we have left ours alone for the last 3 years and it is still small and very thin! and didnt hardley grow at all last year but think that was do to our chickens as they were on it but have shut them off it this year!!!
Pauline

[Robert_Brenchley]

It'll survive in a pot but it won't flourish. What it likes is moisture and a rich soil, so plant it somewhere and put loads of organic matter on, then give it time. It has very deep roots so it should find the moisture.

[Deb P]

I inherited a clump at my lottie, but had to move it in the winter of 2006 when I cleared my overgrown plot. It sulked last year despite a good manuring and produced a few sticks which I managed to refrain from picking, this year what a difference, the clumps have gone bonkers! Lots of muck and try not to pick this year, and hopefully you will be rewarded next year. ;D

[cambourne7]

I have a few rhubarb seeds if you want to try growing some fresh. My crowns are 3 years old and this i my first real crop, my only problem is that i get seed heads popping up.

[Barnowl]

I got some crowns this winter and the instructions said not to force them in the firat year

[John_Pearce]

One succesful strategy I've found with rhubarb is to get some nice fresh manure and each winter cover the crown with about three inches over manure over the whole of the crown.

The fresh manure rots down gradually over the winter giving nutrients and warmth and I can't complain about the results....

John

[John_Pearce]

[Old bird]

I have got some MAGNIFICENT rhuabarb!  Never one to blow my own trumpet!!! - but this year it looks sensational - even though the plant got battered by those easterly winds last week!  

I have in fact got about 5 plants - but my favourite one is just HUGE - in fact I should have split it a bit this year but didn't!

My forced rhuabard has just finished and it ended up fairly spindly - but I can't complain as I have had a couple of months worth from it!  I will leave that one to rest for this year now.

Do you know that rhuabard has joined the so called "super foods" and it meant to be extremely good for you - although if you suffer from arthritis probably may be a bit too acidic!

I have just posted and seen John Pearce's rhuabarb picture - maybe mine is nearly as good as his!!

Old Bird

;D

[Plot69]

My inherited rhubarb was like J P's last week.  But 5 crumbles and 10lb (Not sure of the kiloage) of jam later...

[kt.]

18 months ago I purchased 2 crowns, 1 Victoria, and  1 Timperley early.  I also transplanted 2 crowns from a previous allotment.  All were left well alone last year and seem to be doing well this year.  Though it is tempting to pull it I am struggling to leave it for another year.

[cambourne7]

covering with fresh manure sounds like a plan must try that this year.

When did you do it?

[John_Pearce]

Most rhubarb seems to start dying back around October / November time and I usually cover the crown at this time...