Rhubarb queries

[Jax]

So, I bought a rhubarb crown and it seems to be shooting off but I have read somewhere that for the first few years you cant eat the rhubarb. So how do I know when its ready for eating? Can I grow in a large pot or does it have to be in the ground?

Cheers

[Two_Sheds]

Don't cut it in the first year: let it build itself up. You can pull a few stalks in 2011, then a few more in 2012 and so on.

It's very happy in the ground - I've never tried to grow one in a pot.

[sagegreen]

Hi, if you mix-in plenty of compost or manure, I don't see why rhubarb can't be grown in a large pot if space is at a premium. But, as Two Sheds says, the 'crown' should be left to build up for a year or so and then only pull the thickest stems so the plant can recover.

[greengas]

I've just been reading this thread and had a thought, I bought 2 crowns from garden centre and planted on 2nd March. The thing is I could not tell one end from the other they were timperley early and victoria so I just planted them at depth it said on packet. My questions are will they grow and if so when will they start poking there heads out the ground to say hello?

Thanks in advance for any advice