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Two or three
rhubarb plants are usually adequate for the average family.
The
leaves are not edible, either raw or cooked.
General
Rhubarb responds to good care and
watering. Remove the flower stalks as they are seen. During the first year of
planting, the stalks should not be picked, since food from the leaves is needed
to nourish the roots for the next year's growth. One light picking may be taken
during the year following planting if the plants are vigorous, and the second
year following planting, the entire plant may be harvested. When harvesting
rhubarb, pull the stalks out individually. All of the stalks of a plant may be
harvested at one time, or pulled out selectively over a 4-6 week period. After
the stalks are removed the leaves may be cut off.
Soil
Deep, fertile
loams, well-supplied with organic matter, are best suited for rhubarb growing.
Well-rotted manure benefits most rhubarb. Rhubarb tolerates most soils but grows
best on fertile, well-drained soils that are high in organic matter. Manure is
an extremely valuable source of organic matter as it helps to conserve moisture,
preserves the soil structure, and makes nutrients readily available. A clean
planting site is essential for the cultivation of rhubarb. Small areas of
perennial weeds can quickly build up to serious proportions. To prevent this,
all perennial weeds should be killed the year before planting. Rhubarb is
relatively free of insect and disease problems.
Divide
Plants to Reset
Rhubarb is
usually propagated by divisions of crowns formed during previous seasons. Crowns
are divided in late autumn or early spring. Take care to leave as much root as
possible with each eye or bud. Plants from crown divisions are preferred to
plants raised from seed. Plants grown from seed seldom equal the production,
colour or
quality of the named rhubarb varieties. Planting in raised beds helps ensure
against rotting of the crowns. Crowns will have a longevity of many years,
it is normal to reset a bed after 4-5 years. If more than one
row is planted, rows should be 5 feet apart with plants 3 to 4 feet apart in the
row. Set crowns about 4 inches deep. Rhubarb is usually planted at one side of
the garden where it will not be disturbed.
Resetting
Plants
Divide and reset
plants about every fourth year to keep the bed in vigorous condition. Use two
forks back to back or a sharp spade to divide the crown, leaving 3 to 4 buds
undisturbed in the old location. Portions removed may be used to enlarge the
bed.
Do this renewal
work in the autumn or early spring. Plants not divided in this manner become
large and the stalks become more numerous than is desirable. Remove seed stalks
as they appear. They reduce the yield and vitality of the plant.
Forcing
Rhubarb
Rhubarb can also be forced outdoors
during the winter by placing large light-proof pots ( plastic buckets) over the
crowns and if possible insulating with straw, or better still, fresh horse
manure which is warm and will speed up the forcing process. |
