Rhubarb seedlings

Krakkkers

Well i planted about 25 to 30 seeds (2 or 3 per hole) and some have now started to show through and sprout tiny leaves after about a week.
How long before i can put them in the garden?

Devongardener

The need to be about 10cm tall before planting out, after hardening off.
Plants should be placed approx 1m apart, I hope you have plenty of space! 

Krakkkers

Well they sell it packs of 125 seeds.
So Rhubarb crumble next Sunday then?

twopenny

That made me laugh

You need to wait until they have true leaves, the first just show they've germinated. Some different ones should show a week more +. Can't be more specific, I've never known anyone grow it from seed.

Once they seem like real plants gently pot them into their own pots - they're going to need it.

When you can see some roots coming out of the bottom of the pot and a healthy top growth you could plant them out. I'd be inclined to just pot them a bit larger and wait till they are sturdy and less vulnerable to slugs and snails.

Would love to know how you get on. We just buy a small plant from a roadside/charity stall.

nachtvlinders

You can join your local FB gardening group (there will be quite a few in a city) and ask for a division as they can be split in the autumn winter time. If you live locally, I could have given you a piece. 

If and when you've nutured the plant for this whole year, you'll need to wait another two years before you get it to be big enough to harvest any stalks. Have you got the patience for this?

Krakkkers

So no Rhubarb crumble next Sunday?
Yes i have patience, i am a complete novice but having just retired and having plenty of time on my hands i thought i would give it a go.
Bought 2 Blackberry and 2 Raspberry bushes and they are in the garden and doing well but my favourite food of all is Rhubarb so i thought i would grow my own.
Why do they sell it in packs of 125? i just put 2 or 3 seeds in each hole in various small plant pots, yoghurt pots, a large lunch box and put them in my very warm south facing conservatory and in less than a week i have 6 of the 13 locations (multiple seeds) breaking through and showing 2 small leaves, i am sure the rest will follow in a day or 2.
So i have too much then?

twopenny

Charity plant stalls would welcome them once they are really going.

I'm currently lifting self seeded plants from my neighbours garden, she's recently deceased and would love to know others are sharing her plants.

The trick with time taking plants is to remember where they are and not pull them out as weeds in a year or two.

I tried growing Agapanthus from seed. 5yrs! In the 3rd yr I forgot them and hoed them off

-taff

Once one rhubarb plant is established you're looking at easily 1msq. But it will take a few years. What you can do with your other plants if you don't mind growing them to lose them is plant them out too and then use those and force them. You'll be stealing all the energy from them and they probably won't grow as vigrously as any you leave to properly mature. But you will get some nice tender stems while you're waiting for the tohers. If you get the split crown of an established plant, you won't have to wait so long for stalks.

Krakkkers

Can you describe what you mean by "force them" ? I am a starter.

-taff

You put something over them that excludes the light, they gow more tender and paler. Have you seen those terracotta elongated bell shapes? If you have, they are for forcing rhubarb. But you can use anything that excludes light, black bin, etc.

https://www.theenglishgarden.co.uk/expert-advice/gardeners-tips/how-to-force-rhubarb/

RAS

Check out the Rhubarb Triangle. They may have re-instated trips, for next year now.