Rhubarb

[mummybunny]

Hi all,

I have been given a Rhubarb root and haven't got a clue what do do with it!!! To me it just looks like a tree stump  ::) It was given to my OH from a friends father at work all he said was his dad said i could split it in two with a spade and now was a good time to plant it!

Thing is the soil here is rock solid at the moment and with the forcast of heavy snow im not sure when i'll be able to get it in the ground. What do i do with it in the meantime? My mouth is watering with the thought of rhubarb crumble  :P I have read that i shouldn't take anything from it in the first year.

Any tips please.

Thanks lucy

[mummybunny]

[Biscombe]

Wish I could help but I can't grow it for toffee! must be the weather!

[BarriedaleNick]

Well Nov-Dec are generally decent times to plant but I think a pickaxe would be needed know.
Basically dig a biggish hole and improve the soil with as much manure as you can - the plant will be in situ for years so best to get it off to a good start.  Let the soil setle down for a while and plant so that the crown is maybe an inch below the surface.  Water in well. The first year or two will be a test as you shouldnt take anything this year and very little the next.  Once established it can be very productive but they do take up a fair bit of space.

Rhubarb Vodka is a woderful winter drink BTW

[Tee Gee]

i could split it in two with a spade and now was a good time to plant it!

The information you have is good advice but as you have found the ground is not in a fit state to do this.

Meantime you can do a couple of things to get you by;

You could split it and pot the pieces up in large pots/buckets as a temporary measure. The only trouble here is; you might split it in the wrong place i.e. it has to have a growing point on each piece!



The picture shows a plant a bit after splitting should have taken place but it will give you an idea where to cut.

What you have to strive for is at least one of those round knobbly bits on each piece of root.

I think what I would do for now is put it outside, cover it with a box or bucket and throw some old sacks or carpet over it and you will force it into growth.

Once you see this growth, split the root  as I described, then plant the pieces just leaving the growing tip showing above the soil.(when the ground is in a fit state to plant out in)

Regarding harvesting!

Yes it it better to leave it for a year to establish itself but if the temptation is too great you can possibly remove up to half of the stems.

WHAT YOU MUST NOT DO IS REMOVE ALL THE STEMS!! this may kill the plant. The plant need leaves to photosynthesise!!

[mummybunny]

Thank you so much for the great advice  ;) Its huge, will do as you have said when i get home and hopefully i can work out where to split it.

I new that rug i rescued from going to the tip on the way home the other day would come in handy  ;D

Thanks again.