Guest Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 I bought a rhubarb plant a month or so ago and Dan has planted it in a pot and it is in the greenhouse It doesn't seem to be thriving though Have we planted it too late, should it be covered so it's not getting any light ? I'm really not sure what to do with it, all the advice I have read on the internet seems to say rhubard is very hardy and will grow anywhere Does anyone have any advice? I was looking forward to rhubard crumble This does not bode well for my planned raised veg boxes, although my seedlings are doing very well ATM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Hi Debs it could be that you are being too kind to your rhubarb I just bunged ours into the ground with some compost under the roots and left them to it. You could try it outside for a while, if you cover them I'm not sure you can't keep using them for years, although I'm probably wrong Good luck, karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 I used to 'force' rhubarb when I was little we got some thin metal sheeting (like really thick kitchen foil) and put this round the plant so the light only came in at the very top which made it try harder to grow It seemed to work 15 years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 I had mine for years, but it pegged it last year Frost is good for it - stimulates growth apparently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 You are supposed to do nothing for the first year to allow the plant to establish itself. Harvest only a few sticks at a time for the second year, and then when they are well established away you go. Never leave fewer than 4 sticks on a plant when you do harvest or it might not be able to grow again. After a few years, you can divide the plants. In the autumn, cover with a dollop of well rotted manure. I prefer mine with custard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 In the autumn, cover with a dollop of well rotted manure. I prefer mine with custard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 I thought I'd get it in before anyone else Christian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 As i read it I was going to type custard, but you beat me to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Great minds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Folk lore in Yorkshire, home of the rhubarb triangle, would have it that in order for your rhubarb to flourish it should be planted by whoever "wears the trousers" in the house. Hence the wives were usually sent out to plant it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 Thank you everyone who replied, I knew you wonderful people would come to my assistance I think we'll put it outside, in a nice sunny spot and just leave it alone. Thanks again everyone, great advice as usual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 23, 2007 Share Posted March 23, 2007 When we got our allotment there was a large rhubarb plant right in the middle. I tried to dig it and thought i ahd succeeded but it grew back the next year stronger than ever. Neglect seems to be the best thing for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 As a child our dog used to frequently dig up the rhubarb root and eat half of it, yes he was entirely bonkers and half labrador. The rhubarb never seemed to mind though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 I thought I'd get it in before anyone else Christian! cover with a dollop of well rotted manure. I prefer mine with custard. I prefer my manure on its own personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowcloud Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 ...another thing to think about is that there are a few things rhubarb don't like. Don't leave them hungry - make sure they have good, well rotted manure below the roots. Don't let them dry out - sandy soil or rocky soil is no good - they will dry out and die. But they can rot too - if you put too much mulch or compost over main crown - so be careful they don't rot from too much manure over the top. Someone else mentioned leaving the plant for the first year - this is right - make sure the plant establishes in the first year by not ripping out the leaves. Let them grow so the roots will grow strong - then next year it will go ballistic! When taking stalks, remember to TWIST the stalks low down so they come away with a satisfying crack, rather than snapping them or pulling up the crown!! Hope that helps. I have found that after 3 years the crown will need splitting in four with a spade - then you can establish again and have loads more!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
