Now I've split my rhubarb crown.....

TomsMom

Hi, novice gardener here but learning as I go.

We were given a new rhubarb plant late last year when the local garden centre closed down, just popped it in the garden and have now moved it to a permanent home. I understand that the first year you shouldn't pick more than about three sticks.......... is that right???

Also, there were a couple of old rhubarb plants which were doing well enough. The crowns have now been split and we've replanted them all and they are beginning to fruit. Do I keep picking the fruit as normal or do I treat like new plants and only pick a few sticks?

Many thanks.

Lotus-eater

Treat as new plants, only pick a couple of stalks if you really have to and there are plenty on the plant.

TomsMom

Thanks for that Lotus Eater. OH's gutted!!!!!!!!!! No crumble .

OK, another novice question (sorry , but I want to get it right). Do we leave the fruit on the plant until it just dies off at the end of the growing season? Thinking about it, that's probably a stupid question seeing as the answer to my previous one was to not pick the fruit.

Ooh, another one, do we feed it or dig in manure or anything this year?

Thanks again.

Primrose

Rhubarb can sulk after it's been split and moved so don't more than the odd stick this year to give it time to recover and build up its strength. Meanwhile, give it plenty of water, and some well rotted manure if you have some.
On a mature plant you can keep picking stalks as they grow but never leave the plant completely denuded of stalks. I stop picking completely around end July/early August (partly because we're sick of rhubarb by then and have got other soft fruit to eat) but also to let the plant regain its strength for the following year.