Dividing mature (over 10 years old) rhubarb.

Nightowl

Hi,


I acquired my allotment in October and was advised by the last owner that the rhubarb needed dividing this year. Eventually found it and dug around. Was about 2 foot by 1 foot. Couldn't move it and was scratching my head a little (thinking I must of killed my plant by now - however I am assured they are survivors!) when luckily an experienced allotment holder walked by. He was kind enough to help me split it two forks back to back for each cut and we got it out. I have three large pieces and lots of 'bits'. I've left it out of ground (under some fleece) overnight and my questions are as follows:


Do I just throw the little bits of root or is there any chance they might also grow?


I've read that the need a good frost - is that after they've been re planted or should I let them get a frost out of the ground? (wasn't sure hence the fleece overnight).


The roots were a little soft (though not rotten), should I let them dry out a bit? (the position it was in gave poor drainage so I won't be planting any back there - seems to of lasted there for well over 10 years though!)




Any answers to my questions or further advise would be appreciated, I know I am a novice! Thank you.

wellused

They should be coming up now you needed to have planted the crowns.

Mojisola

With gardening, there's the advice given by experienced gardeners (and this will vary depending on who taught them their gardening and what their personal experiences have been), more official recommendations from research bodies (this is gold-standard and doesn't mean that other things won't work), and what you can learn yourself by trial and error.

Your own knowledge will end up a mixture of the above - never be afraid of trying something because someone else tells you it won't work. Sometimes you have to do things in the garden when you are ready to do it rather than at the "best time".

As to rhubarb, it's quite hard to kill it off. Here's the official advice - http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=544

Unless you really love rhubarb, you won't need too many plants but plant a few more than you need in case you get some loses. You won't be able to harvest this year - let the roots get established.

Most allotments have some experienced gardeners who are happy to help new comers. Don't be afraid to ask for advice. As well as general gardening knowledge, they will know what works well with the allotment soil and site.

rum1

Just go for it i chopped a load up 2 years ago at the wrong time of the year and gave it to some friends they all now have great rhubarb plants.

Farway

rum1 wrote: »

Just go for it i chopped a load up 2 years ago at the wrong time of the year and gave it to some friends they all now have great rhubarb plants.

This, just go for it

The little bits may grow as well

Do not be tempted to harvest any at all this year, let it settle down & establish in new spots

Some of the "old boys" on lottie may have surplus for you to make pies with alter in the year

Nightowl

Thanks for all your advice. I 'went for it' and re planted FIVE pieces in the allotment all with quite a lot of root and buds. I also planted another TWO little pieces in pots which I will pass on to someone else if they survive.
When I dug up the crown I struggled to find it initially. Today I found another two crowns that are beginning to sprout (one of them looks as big as the one I've just split) - I won't be short this year whilst waiting for the new ones. My mother has asked me what I will do with all this rhubarb!! I'm working on the theory that I've got it so I might as well plant it, my allotment is huge and I think I'll do well to use all the ground, at least this way it's being used. I will cook every rhubarb recipe I can, and I already have work colleagues hinting about having some so I'll don't think it will be wasted.
We (me and my two daughters) also have a plan to have a stall outside our house for any produce we can't use.

Farway

Nightowl wrote: »

. I will cook every rhubarb recipe I can, and I already have work colleagues hinting about having some so I'll don't think it will be wasted.
We (me and my two daughters) also have a plan to have a stall outside our house for any produce we can't use.

And remember rhubarb wine as an option :beer: