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My rhubarb is about an inch above soil level.  I was wondering whether to put a bucket over it now but on GW yesterday, the forced clump was destined for the compost heap.  I had to rewind the bit about it as I thought I had misheard, but he definitely said the clump was to be thrown on the heap after harvesting.  Does that mean that mine won't be any good next year if I force it now?  I would be grateful if anyone could help me on this please.  Do you throw your clump away after harvesting Tim?

Good to hear you, Pauline.

No - but I don't pull more than just the first flush & then leave it to recover for next year.
And I would not cover next year.

Watch out for slugs!

I force one crown each year, keep it covered and keep pulling until the stalks get too spindly and weak then uncover and leave it for rest of year. All the crowns Ive forced previously are as vigorous as ones that havent been. Pulled my first forced stuff 2 weeks ago and the first of the maincrop 2 days ago. Thats 2 weeks later than last year becuase of the hard winter.

So you force it again next year?

And, as to timing, where are you? Makes a BIG difference.

No, I dont force the same crown each year, I rotate them. But crowns that have been forced previously give as good a crop as those that havent so binning the crown is wasteful. Im in the south

Thought so -  we're 650'up!!

Quote from: Paulines7 on April 03, 2010, 17:50:48
...on GW yesterday, the forced clump was destined for the compost heap.  I had to rewind the bit about it as I thought I had misheard, but he definitely said the clump was to be thrown on the heap after harvesting.  ...

When I was at hort college, they forced rhubarb and told us to chuck the plants on the compost as they'd be no good. I "rescued" one, (with permission) and it's done very well in it's new home here, was my first.

Thanks for your replies everyone.  The bucket will go over it now and to be on the safe side I will only pull a few shoots and then leave the bucket off.

I have only got five or six inches but it is nice and thick

Quote from: PurpleHeather on April 04, 2010, 18:06:08
I have only got five or six inches but it is nice and thick

That is worrying Heather!  :o

Back to Rhubarb, please!!

Hah just when it was getting interesting!!...... ;D ;D ;D

Ive only got leafy growth and 1/2 inch so far.......but it is in a shady-ish spot ;)

Tim, that is timely for sure as I just posted a rhubarb question. Could you tell me what kind it is please and what does it look like if you don't force it..colour wise.

Thank you Tim

XX Jeannine

Don't know, Jeannine - was given it. Victoria is always cracked up as good.

Unforced colour can be pretty impressive - http://images.google.co.uk/images?rlz=1T4GGLG_enGB307GB307&q=rhubarb+photos&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=y4-5S-f7JZy60gTy7ewm&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQsAQwAA - but it's the all through colour, earliness & tenderness of forced that's persuasive.

Pic 2 shows the difference in timing.

Thank you Tim, I thought I had Victoria in the UK but  it had greenish tinge to it, yours looks wonderful

XX Jeannine

My rhubarb is always greenish so, hopefully, it will be red when it is forced. 

The plants were there when we moved in 11 years ago.  I moved one and put it in a bucket and the rest died over the years.  The one in the bucket was moved into a permanent, sunnier bed about four years ago.  I will probably divide it later in the year but meanwhile look out for a variety that has red stalks. 

I think mine is Victoria as a Google search shows the plant stalks as being green with some red, very similar to mine.   Jeannine, it sounds as though yours was Victoria too. 

Tim, the picture you posted was of forced rhubarb, but what colour are the stalks when they are left to do their own thing?

Anything fom this to redder.

But always greenish inside.

And just seen on another thread - CHAMPAGNE is the one always cracked up.