Is it best to wait until the plant is in growth before covering it? I've had one of mine covered since November!
that is what I do - and I don't usually begin to force until February (I'm located in the north west)
Quote from: calendula on January 15, 2008, 10:47:28
that is what I do - and I don't usually begin to force until February (I'm located in the north west)
So do i, last year pulled my first by the middle a January.
Down here in the South West (and by the coast) I have noticed that my rhuabarb is beginning to sprout so have put large compost bin (dalek shape) over it and am hoping to have a meal by end January!
I will let you know. I think it is much colder up where you are in Yorkshire though!
Old Bird
:o
Covered mine yesterday in Lincolnshire as I do at this time every year although I only grow a very early variety. Its been in for donkeys years and even then it was cadged off another site.
If you have a later variety I would have thought that it would still come later when forced.
Going off the thread slightly I keep three beds going of the same variety in rotation. One is forced, one is kept for normal growing and the third is dug out at the end of the season. It is then split and allowed to get frosted. A piece is then put back in and the rest is distributed around the site as, like I say, its extremely early and much sought after. You can leave it out of the ground for months over winter and it still grows well.
Should you really force rhubarb? Or is it just being greedy? I only have one rhubarb plant, this will be its 2nd year. Last year I took off a couple of stalks but left the rest to die on the plant. I wasn't thinking of forcing it, is it really necessary?? I wouldn't mind a 2nd one, they are pretty when they grow but they do take up some room on a small plot...
Antipodes - have you eaten forced rhuabarb? Firstly it is a stunning pinkish colour - then the taste - well it is quite superb!!
I have about 6 very large old rhuabarb plants and I force a different one each year.
It is not very good for the plant to force it - so the rest of the year it needs to rest but certainly if you have room for more than a couple of rhuabarb plants - it is something pretty special!
Yours will do fine and probably be much bigger and better this year. Hopefully you will have fed it (if not you can still do it now) with manure or compost. That is roughly all the care they need!
Good luck
Old Bird
;D
sorry to sound thick ??? but is it forced in total darkness or does it have to have some light,antipodes's description makes me want to go and do it today but no-one else does it on site
They need a little chink of light to aim for when they are growing, I think! Best forced sticks I get are by putting old dalek style compost bins over the top of the plant, like Oldbird says.
Quotesorry to sound thick Huh but is it forced in total darkness or does it have to have some light,antipodes's description makes me want to go and do it today but no-one else does it on site
The best rhubarb is forced in total darkness. To do it properly the crowns are grown normally until mature then replanted in a forcing shed in the autumn. The ground of the forcing shed is heavily manured, crowns planted fairly close together then lots more manure piled everywhere. Manure is for heat. All light is excluded and large carpets and suchlike draped over the door and any other chinks of light. Harvesting and inspection is traditionally done using a single candle for light but a low powered battery torch may do.
Plants do not need light to aim for. In the absence of light the growing shoots grow upwards. In the presence of light the growing shoots grow upwards. Light just makes leaves green and rhubarb bitter.
When the forced crowns are finished they are truly finished and are burnt.
Are we talking about forcing or blanching?
Eristic is talking about the famous rhubarb farms in Yorkshire I think - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article1358524.ece
Few of us will have any way we can copy that exactly, and if I'm going to be honest and probably upset a few folks, I think that my rhubarb, grown under the dalek, tastes better than very pale English rhubarb that you can buy around now. But maybe its just cos it's fresher! :D
Hugh FW had a recipe in the Guardian mag and talked about using "January's bright pink forced rhubarb" so I guess some people must have it that early- mine's showing no sign of life yet!
www.nutri-ception.co.uk/office/documents/pdf/NCF0109.pdf
gives a brief history/description of rhubarb forcing.
Sorry but I would be pleased if somebody out there could show me how to display it as a link?
It worked so it must do it automatically?
On our site - Slough, Berks, rhubarb is sprouting all over on other people's plots. As newbies we haven't got any in as yet, but as it is my youngest sons favourite fruit I've got Pink Champagne, Red Canadian and Victoria ready and waiting as soon as the bed is ready. Also growing Glaskin's Perpetual and some Italian variety from Franchi from seed.
I intend to freeze loads to keep him happy through the Winter!! Any other varieties I should be looking for?
found one of ours showing so I've covered it today..with a black bucket and a brick on top ;D