Rhubarb?

LisaB85

I've been given a rhubarb plant, the ticket says it can grow in any soil and in any area but where is the best place to plant it?

Shade? Sun? and how do I look after it?

mrbadexample

It likes sun, but will tolerate at least partial shade. Dig a hole, fill it with manure if you can, then plant - not too deep - you don't want to bury the bottom of the stems.

To look after it, put a bucket of manure around it (not on top of it) each winter when it's dormant. Don't pick any the first year - you want it to build up some reserves before you start pulling bits off it.

poppysarah

The don't touch it for the first year bit is vital.

Apart from some muck I rarely do anything BUT give it a water if it gets really dry this summer. Not often.

And cut off any flower stems that appear.

VegGrower

I planted three rhubard plants bought from a garden centre this morning, but had a bit of a disaster and broke off a stem while planting one . It still has one small stem with a small leaf left, so I'm hoping it will recover, but is there anything I can do to help it? It's planted in a large pot outside at the minute. TIA!

VG.

annie123

VegGrower wrote: »

I planted three rhubard plants bought from a garden centre this morning, but had a bit of a disaster and broke off a stem while planting one . It still has one small stem with a small leaf left, so I'm hoping it will recover, but is there anything I can do to help it? It's planted in a large pot outside at the minute. TIA!

VG.

Don't worry it'll be fine;)

VegGrower

Thanks! I think the advice is not to harvest them for the first year, so I'm planning to leave them all until next year, when I will force one, rest one and pick one . That's the plan anyway, fingers crossed!

mrbadexample

VegGrower wrote: »

so I'm planning to leave them all until next year, when I will force one,

Oh no you won't!

Forcing rhubarb uses a lot of the plants resources, so it would probably be unwise to force such a young plant. Wait until it's at least a couple of years old before you start forcing it. It'll be fine to pick a small amount from though.

VegGrower

Oh hi Marigold! Ah ok, so maybe I'll leave that plan for a year or so, thanks! Good news about being able to pinch a few bits though, I don't want to wait too long for my pie!

LisaB85

I don't even like rhubarb lol

also growing radish, broccoli, carrots, peas and strawberries so hope I'll get something tasty. Thanks for the tips.

Fruittea

Hello Everyone

I hope you don't mind me posting a question here - I'm not subcribed to the thread - just lurking and saw 'rhubarb'. I've just bought a small plant in the bargain basement section at the garden centre and after about 2 weeks in the pot it seems to be producing a huge flower stem. I noticed the post about cutting off flowers - I'm a little concerned tht I will damage the plant - should I plant it out and leave it to flower or can I cut it off whilst it's in the pot

Any advice gratefully received.

gazza975526570

shouldnt cause it any damage at all - just cut it off otherwise the plant will direct its energy to this instead