Rhubarb

[PJW_Letchworth]

Hi fellow allotmenteers  :),

I have a couple of questions about my rhubarb.

Firstly, the sticks do not seem to be getting as fat this year as those in the past.  The length of the sticks is the same, just not the size.  I have top dressed the crowns with plenty of well rotted compost and kept them watered.  There are plenty of sticks, in fact the crowns are looking really good.  Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Secondly, when is the right time to stop pulling the rhubarb?

Thanks in advance!

[PJW_Letchworth]

[Fork]

Not sure why your "stalks" are thin this year.....Ive got the same problem.

Mine are going to seed too but Im cutting them off soon as I see them.

You should not harvest your rhubarb after August.

[bionear2]

Glad its not just mine thats odd this year. After the first harvesting of mainly normal stalks its all thin long stuff.

Mine flowered too, some weeks ago, as have many plants on the lottie site. Never seen this happen before so early in the year

[PurpleHeather]

There are several of us on our allotment site who have thicker or thinner than normal this year.

There seems to be no reason for it other than the weather conditions we have had suiting one variety better than others.

We were all given 'roots/cuttings' by some one else, (not the same person-all different) and no one has any idea what their variety of their rhubarb is.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Last year mine was so waterlogged that two clumps drowned. This year it's weak, the stalks thinner than usual, and every time we get a few sunny days,it flops. I can only assume that there's been serious rotting around the roots. I'm giving it plenty of liquid fertiliser to help it recover, and not cropping too heavily this year.

[caroline7758]

Mine has flowered more and earlier this year too.

[PJW_Letchworth]

One other question.  Would it be a good idea to give a liberal scattering of chicken manure pellets around the crowns now and before I stop harvesting?

[saddad]

Can't hurt......  ;D

[Isleworth]

Mine has flowered more and earlier this year too.

Hi Caroline,

Do your remove the flowers? As I was under the impression that rhubarb flowers should be removed as soon as they are seen otherwise the flower will weaken the root, which will then produce weak thin stalks.

[Melbourne12]

Every one of ours bar one bolted.  We removed the flower heads as soon as we spotted them, but it's been a disappointing crop.  And I think the same thing has happened to everyone on our site.

I put it down to some sequence of weather that must have stressed the plants.

[antipodes]

how strange. Mine too had a flower (cut it off) and it looks big and healthy but the sticks are thin. Still, I got 7 off last night and made rhubarb and strawberry jam :D
Guess it is just not its year.
I like the plant though, it makes the place look very luxurious.

[rosebud]

Why should we stop pulling after August please.

[caroline7758]

Yes, I pulled the flowers off, and there weren't any new ones today, so that's good.

[cornykev]

Mine are thin too, I was waiting for them to fatten up so I suppose I'll just use them as they are.  ;D ;D ;D

[PJW_Letchworth]

Hi Rosebud,

You should stop pulling the rhubarb in August (as I have now found out) because the crowns need time to replenish the neutrients etc so they are ready to withstand the winter and be ready to grow next year.  If you keep pulling then you'll probably find the next year won't produce so well.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's partly that and partly that the proportion of oxalic acid rises towards the end of the season; you really don't want to eat to much of it. Also, it gets less juicy and more stringy.

[milkybardave]

Just to jump in on someone else's question.....

I am moving to a new house very soon (it used to belong to my gran & grandad, so I know that the area where I'm planning to put the veg is 100% organic) It has a garden over 100ft long (which is massive, compared to my current postage stamp)

I have 3 Rhubarb crowns up behind the greenhouse, but don't like the stuff! (the OH does however, so not getting rid of it completely, or I could be in for some serious pain!!)

My question is.... can I move it (as its sitting where I want to build my compost bins) & if so, when is the best time?, I've had an interest from a couple of friends for the crowns I don't want/need, can these be transported easily?

Regards

Dave

[PurpleHeather]

No harm in trying,

Take a big lump with the soil attached to it so that you are actually moving the entire plant,  roots and all. Keep it well watered too.

Dig the new hole first, then fill the hole left by the rhubarb with that soil.

I suspect gardening will take a back seat to the re-decorating and changes you will make to the house though. Have you checked your agenda with your OH?

[STEVEB]

share your unwanted crowns by slicing them in half with a spade.
my roo is having a funny year too i was flooded last july might be something to do with it.
if the leaves are poisonous whats eating mine?

[loopyloulou]

im kinda glad the rhubarb problem isnt just mine, we were given some when we started the plot back in feb, chucked them in in a hurry so as not to kill them and then a month or so later moved some to another spot where i manured them as theyre supposed to like that, well the manured ones are stubby wee things and the ones i didnt move are better, but dont look long enough yet either and one has flowered too, bummer, but everyone on my lotty has the same problem and nobody knows whats caused it  ??? fingers crossed theyre better next yr, i dont think ill be harvesting mine this yr sadly despite them being mature if moved crowns, siigh, only thing is the guy who gave me the rhubarb his look fab! soo not fair!! and i havent seen him harvest it either! nobody on the plot has to my knowledge