Rhubarb

[Moggle]

My plot came with a few established rhubarb crowns, which are now sprouting nicely. How soon could I be harvesting? Some of the stalks are up to 20cm long  :)

[Moggle]

[Svea]

same question, really. :D

[loz]

Nice one!  Mine is only about 3cm!

The problem with rhubarb is that it can suffer from fungal infections and rot, especially when the crown get damaged, which unfortunately happens when you pull.

Usually rhub can be picked in March, or as early as late Feb if the winter has been mild and the soil not waterlogged.

However, forced rhubarb can be ready a couple of weeks earlier.

Hope this helps

Loz

[gavin]

When there's enough for a good picking?  As long as there's plenty more coming up ready for the enxt picking?

Mmmm - mine is about 1 inch tall at the moment.  Hey, but it is coming through!

All best - Gavin

[philcooper]

Back at the original question - I would have thought about 1' of stem (not including leaf) is enough to pull

If you cover with a bucket or something else light proof you'll get them quicker and they'll be sweeter too.

I've never seen an established rhubarb plant affected  by pulling Loz

Phil

[Wicker]

I usually wait until about 1ft long too.  An "old wives tale(?)" I've always gone by is to never pull all the stems from a crown - always leave a couple.  Another one is "don't pull after July" - is that true would it harm the crown?  I don't really use it after July anyway as it is usally too thick and coarse for my liking by then.

All in all rhubarb is pretty resilient!  thank goodness.

[redimp]

I've already had rhubarb crumble - and I only got my plot in December! :)

[Svea]

wicker,

the july thing is about the amount of acid in the rhubarb which i understand is toxic in great quantities....

looking forward to my first rhubarb too - up to a foot already - but only two leafs so far so will wait a little longer.

svea

[Moggle]

Thanks all, it sounds like I am at the same stage as you Svea, a couple of long-ish pieces, but not enough for a whole crumble  :-\

Oh well, must keep being patient, and/or get myself a bucket  ;D

[Merry Tiller]

Mine has barely appeared above ground yet, it is in a pretty shady spot mind

[Debs]

Wow, this is music to my ears ;D

I did not know that rhub was ready so early.

Last year, I was pulling mine up to end of July - stalks were quite

thick by that stage. But I shall be carrying out monthly inspections

so that I can pounce at the earliest opportunity.  Is it too late to start

forcing it now???

Debs

[philcooper]

Don't cover it while it's frozen (given the current weather), you'll only seal in the cold.

But covering it will produce stalks quicker than those left in the open - next year start earlier!!

Phil