Hi all,
I covered my rhubarb over at Christmas with a bucket to protect the plant from the severe weather we were having.
I never removed the bucket, so the rhubarb has grown quite large.
I was wondering that if I removed the bucket totally, and exposed it to the elements, wil the rhubarb which has already grown be OK? I don't know if exposing it to light etc, will do it any harm as it's been in the dark for so long.
Your help would be appreciated
I would eat it as it is, forced in the dark rhubarb is far sweeter.
The expoure to light wont be a huge probelm but will affect the taste.
Leave that crown well alone this winter as forcing year after year saps the plant.
Jerry
As usual, placed an empty dalek style empty plastic compost bin over one of my plants. For the first time - failure! :(
Seems like it grew quickly, but was vulnerable to the heavy frosts we've had here. The other rhubarb plants (not covered or forced) I have are about 6" high, and looking good though. I suppose they grew more slowly, and have been toughened up a bit.
I'm with jerry, eat it asap and give the rubub a treat with some nice compost. My newly planted rubub is still underground, but I checked and all my chums' rubub is still hiding. I expect this week will make a difference and we might start to see some sprouts. Just shows the difference if you force it!
Oh dear!....covered my rhubarb up with a bucket way back in early January and have taken a couple of quick peeps at it...it's grown fab!...some almost up to the top of bucket (it's been in the ground 2 years now).....have noticed also that new 'pieces' are doing well around the bucket too - and have grown several inches high so obviously some 'crown root' spread out more than I realised and it wasn't all covered!!...but...............
hadn't realised that by forcing it and having some early (not pulled any yet)....I'd not be able to use anymore this year :'(.....it's the only crown I've got so wouldn't have done it had I have known before! :o
a very sad H.P. cos I love rhubarb.....what harm would it do if I do pick it (once uncovered)
You making me jealous now H_P :P ;D
If your lotties are anything like mine, there will be loads of peeps growing rubub on a corner of their plot but NOT EATING IT :o :o. If you start doing the favours now, you might get returns in the form of rubub from your neighbours for several weeks. Amazingly I have a neighbour who grows but doesn't eat GLOBE ARTICHOKES who is more than happy to give them away :o :o :o
Rubub is like asparagus, all that cropping do weaken it, but it will recover ;D.
Ate my first today -it was lovely (and I generally say I don;t like Rhubarb). How long can I keep picking it? Do you cut it or pull it, I should have asked that question yesterday?
Hi Derbex
Caught some rhubarb action on the telly last night. They pulled forced plants, well pulled and twisted. Whatever you do don't cut it with that thing you're holding!!!!
I split my crowns in winter and have forced 1 lot and left the others as normal. Forced is at about 6-8" unforced just peaking thru. There is a massive colour difference though. Can't wait to taste the difference, but how much sugar should I add to it compared with the unforced (which normally needs a fair whack)?
G
Mine's just starting to come through the six inches or so of rotted grass cuttings I mulched it with. That should kep it happy. I haven't tried blanching it; can you crop that root again the same year? My lot could eat rhubarb till the Trump of Doom, so quantity is what counts with me.
Thanks for all your replies.
I agree with the one post when it says the colour is alot deeper. Mine is a very dark red and about 6 inches long. So I'll leave it for a little while longer.
Cheers
Ruth
Don't really know about the suger -I just followed a standard recipe, the Mrs is the conosewer and said it was just right :)