Rhubarb

[supersam]

Hi All
Ive seen some rhubarb plants on ebay, cant remember the name but they can grow in tucs, containers etc. I haven't got much space so this would be better for me but are they Ok, nice crop etc? also is this the best time of year to buy them and what sort of care over winter.? sorry if these are obvious questions but this summer was my first year growing fruit, veg.

[nick the grief]

You might struggle with them in tubs Sam. Rhubarb is a very vigorous plant & needs lifting & dividing on a regular basis & copious loads of muck too.

I'd see if you can scrounge a bit of someone who is splitting theres & try rather than spend good money & find out you've failed.

[SueA]

Hi Supersam, I'm sure you can get some rhubarb which is O.K. to grow in a large tub, I remember seeing it demonstrated in a gardening magazine somewhere. I think the idea is that it is easy to force in a tub so that you can pick early pale pink stems. You would have to cover the top with a bucket or similar in late winter/early spring to force the stems. The rhubarb crown needs to be exposed to some frost in winter to get best results so I guess if you planted it in the tub outdoors in late autumn/early winter that would be ideal. If you force the rhubarb though it's generally not very good the next year as the forcing & picking exhausts it & most people throw it away & start again.

[supersam]

Thanks to both of you. I may give it a try but it seems a bit hit and miss. Besides there are plenty of other things I can try!!

[skegblade]

Rhubarb

Hi all

Sorry if this seems a stupid question, but I'm new to allotments and veggie growing. I know rhubarb leaves are poisonous, but how poisonous are they? If fatal, I feel sorry for the poor sap who drew the short straw.

[nick the grief]

Originaly Rhubarb was grown for the root which was used as a mega strong laxative & a cure for venerial disease (I suppose if you thought you'd got dysentry it tok your mind of your other problem ) then they discovered Rheum Palmatum which is about 10 times as powerful !!!

It was at this time that some desperate soul (or raving bloody looney!!) at the CHelsea Physic garden uncovered some stalks that had been covered with earth when they were digging a trench & thought

"That looks nice & pink, I take it home & make it into a crumble even thought the leaves are poisonous & the roots make you feel as though the world fell out your bottom"

& so the Delicious fruit stalk was born.

And not a lot of people know that

[User Removed]

I would be very careful about buying rhubarb on eBay as many of the roots (it also happens a lot with seeds) do not meet the UKs standards and that is why these are beging sold cheap as nowhere else are allowed to sell these
I would be careful

[Snadger]

Surely thats what the feedback system was set up for on ebay....check the guys feedback and if its ok and you get it cheap..go for it! If you're happy with it leave decent feedback...if you ain't leave negative. Thats my personnal view anyway! I have bought horseradish off ebay cheaply which I am very happy with. Lets face it, what can go wrong with rhubarb? It grows like weeds in most alottments (much like horseradish actually)

[skegblade]

Thanks for the answer Nick; I'm still wiping the tears from my eyes. It's not easy to read, cry and laugh at the same time.