Rubarb-new plant this year

ssray

Evening,
We planted a rubarb plant and we were advised to leave it till next year before picking, do we just leave it uncovered? what happens to the fruit on it at the moment
Thanks
Ray

RAS

ray

You eat the stems. When we get the first frosts, they will rot. Which is fine as the nutrients will be used by the plant to bulk up the roots.

Leave uncovered all winter - it comes from Siberia and grows in places where winter can be -50 degrees C.

Since it is a new plant do not be tempted to force it (cover it in the spring). Jst harvest a small crop next year and stop in June. The year after it will be much bigger and produce a lot more.

mrbadexample

When the stalks have rotted completely you can remove them and chuck them on the compost heap. If you can find some nice horse muck, it will appreciate a generous amount around (but not on top of) the crown. No need to dig it in, just put a ring round it and leave it. It will appreciate that every winter, just to give it a bit of fuel.

madjackslam

You say "what happens to the fruit on it" - I'm wondering if a flower spike has come up that is turning to fruit. If so, you can cut this off now and compost. It's taking energy away from the crown (confusingly, the crown is at the base of the plant!).

wellused

I planted one in my small garden and followed all the advice not to pick the stalks, now that I have an allotment I don't know whether to transplant it or to leave it where it is so that I can sample the fruit next year.

mrbadexample

wellused wrote: »

I planted one in my small garden and followed all the advice not to pick the stalks, now that I have an allotment I don't know whether to transplant it or to leave it where it is so that I can sample the fruit next year.

I'd say that depends on how well established it is. If it's not been in long, and would do better in the allotment then I'd transplant it during the winter months when it is dormant. If you dig it up with as big a root ball as possible, it might not even notice very much.

Incidentally, you don't get fruit from rhubarb. You eat the stalks, but it's a vegetable. :whistle:

wellused

Tastes fruity to me!:rotfl:

ssray

By fruit i meant the stalks, not expecting apples or suchlike

will leave it alone and ban the wife from it, she likes the stuff not me
Thanks
Ray

WLM21

mrbadexample wrote: »

If you can find some nice horse muck, it will appreciate a generous amount around (but not on top of) the crown.

I prefer custard on my rhubarb ... But peoples' tastes do vary