Rhubarb

[bobc1941]

I have just bought two crowns in pots, can I leave them in the pots for the first year or even longer.? Can I force the growth by putting them in my loft in the dark ?


Thanks

[woofgang]

well they will survive in the pots but unless they are HUGE pots you wont get much rhubarb. If you try to harvest stalks from a young plant (which is what you will have) you will risk killing the plant. Additionally you need a flourishing healthy LARGE plant to be able to get a forced crop off it. If you need to leave your rhubarb in the pots you bought it in then leave it alone. Let it die down naturally. Next year pot it into the ground or a large pot or tub and let it grow for the year and die down naturally again. Feed it well. The year after that you can harvest a few (not all) of the stalks as it grows. Again feed well and let it die down. NOW you can put a bucket or bin bag on canes over it to force it but after a forced year it will need a year or longer to recover. I have bought the newer kinds of rhubarb whose stalks are naturally pinker/redder and don't need forcing.

[mazie]

Which variety would you recommend Woof? I'm in the process of turning the small wooded area at the top of our garden into a veg patch. I have been gardening for a few years but have never grown fruit or veg. Think I may need some help and advice with this protect. X

[woofgang]

I am no varieties expert but I chose Raspberry Red which is a newish variety. I wanted bright red colour and flavour/smell but was not over worried by sweetness as that can always be added with sugar or by cooking with sweeter fruit. I have got it growing in 55 litre tubs, I know it will limit the crop but it stops the dogs weeing on it!

[mazie]

Thanks Woof. Perfect... It will be ok being planted directly into the garden? x

[woofgang]

better actually than a tub as they are such hungry plants. I have got two dogs whose one aim in life is to trash my garden and wee on everything so I grow my treasured flowers and edible stuff in giant tubs.

[murraymints]

rhubarb will thicken and clump out very quickly..needs a good bit room... and flour for crumble !!

[mazie]

Excellent... Loads of flour here Minty and ginger for the rhubarb and ginger jam. X

[murraymints]

..and...custard !!! yum yum..

[rowanwitch]

They do not do well in pots plant them out as soon as you can. Don't force them the first year, and only take a couple of stalks per plant and in 2019 just put a big pot upside down over the crown and cover any holes. Personally I prefer to wait for unforced rhubarb

[HansUrbancka]

Before retiring, many years ago, the Head Cashier, in my employment organisation, lived in the next village to me and was a far better gardener than I was. Regularly he brought to work considerable amounts of Rhubarb which he gave to the lasses in the typing pool. One day he was approached by one of the girls who enquired what was the variety and,having said how delicious it was, she asked if he used any special fertiliser. He then said how he regularly went to his local Pub which was a about a half mile from home and often required to 'pump ship' by the time he reached the back door of his cottage. In desperation he would p p pee over the Rhubarb which happened to be the nearest plants in his vegetable plot and the practice became somewhat a tradition before going indoors.

It took a few weeks for him to convince the Girls that he had been teasing them. However, I still wonder if, originally, he had been telling the truth.

Anyway, I apologise for having digressed somewhat from your question and hope the following link is of some assistance to you.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingrhubarb1.shtml

Hans.

[Togo]

That's like the old gag Hans. When asked what he put on his Rhubarb the old gardener said "Hoss Muck". Yuck, said the questioner I put custard on mine.

[HansUrbancka]

It's a good old un Togo and illustrates how a simple question can be misinterpreted.

A bit like the village Blacksmith who was expelled from the local Spelling B team because he misspelt ....Auspices

Hans.....Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb.

[Togo]

Lol those horses get everywhere.

[Togo]

Bet he could have spelled Hospice though.

[woofgang]

reminds me oF the film "The World's Fastest Indian' The main character pees on his lemon tree every day