Growing rhubarb from seed

[Jeannine]

First off, I know it is not recommended but as I have already sown them I am past that point ::)

So I had these about 4 year old seeds, some off my own plants from the UK and some from the return of a swap parcel that I got back, can't reember tthe name..something like Galadstones ?? Mine were Victoria.

Chucked them all in a tray of soil, I now have 10 little plants, don't know which.

I have transplanted them into 3 inch pots, they have 3 or so little stalks with a leaf on top just like a proper rhubarb leaf.

So bearing in mind it is almost the end of June what do I do with them now.

I have looked on the net but can't find much..everything says no good from seeds, more or less!!

All help will be very much appreciated.

Thank you XX Jeannine 

[Jeannine]

[grannyjanny]

Glaskins? Had a look on T & Ms site. Plant out late Spring & then the usual treatment for young rhubarb, manuring next rear, not picking to soon etc.

[Jeannine]

Yeah but I have done it at the wrong time so I don't know what to do with them now.They are only 3inches  tall, so what do I do with them till next Spring
, do they die back????
XX Jeannine

[Robert_Brenchley]

I haven't grown it from seed, but I imagine they die back like adult rhubarb. I don't know what your winters are likely to do to them, but over here I'd expect them to come through.

[Spudbash]

Yes, I agree with grannyjanny, it's probably Glaskin's Perpetual that you've got. Some of your seedling might prove tastier than others, so you'll need to grow them on and then select the ones you like best - just as you do with your squashes.  :)

Like Robert, I haven't grown them from seed myself, but I know from talking to a Yorkshire rhubarb producer a few years ago that plants need a substantial period of dormancy in winter. What that means in terms of nurturing your seedlings, I don't know, but I'd tend to keep them in cool conditions over the summer, well-watered and well-fed, so they develop good, strong crowns.

I've just found this on the RHS website, advising you when to plant out:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=544 

Perhaps there's someone out there in the world-wide allotment who knows more?  :)

[Digeroo]

I think that you have them in a perfect state.  If possible I would plant them out in their final positions now since they do not like being moved very much.  Plant them all out and reckon to throw away some of them next year  It can be tempting to take the reddest ones but I have a very green one which has the best possible flavour. 

They like a lot of compost and a very well dug bed.  They will die down in the winter and do not mind the coldest winters here.  I have no idea what their lowest tolerance is. Perhaps a bit of compost over the top duing the winter.  How cold do things get with you?

Sutton have Victoria. 

I certainly have had a great deal more success with seed grown ones than bought in crowns which seem to die on me.  Though having said that I have a couple of new crowns on my allotment which are doing brilliantly so far.  They seem to suffer more from being too dry than being too cold.

I got some Franchi ones in seed swap which are doing well too they have very red stems already and are only an inch tall.  Variety Comune.  The packet said to sow in July which I am not convinced about.  My Suttons one sown in April are looking much better.  They are going to be quite large before they have to face the winter.  I would move them now but it is extremely dry here. 
.

[Jeannine]

It is generally milder  here than most of the UK.

I can't plant them out yet as I have no place to put them till stuff comes out.

I could put them in to 1 gallon pots,in potting soil, water etc for a bit longer then put in garage  to overwinter, keeping barely damp, bring them out and plant in the spring when they start to grow.. would that do ?? Would they go dormant this small or just croak!!

They are on my bedroom window sill right now.

XX Jeannine