Rhubarb

[Katie77]

I have 2 amazing rhubarb plants that I've grown from seed this year, I'm thrilled at the size of the them but need to move them from my small garden to my allotment. I know this shouldn't be done until later in the year but what I can't establish from anywhere (even the rhs) is do I move it with whatever remaining stems there are left on, or pull them off and just move the crown? Bearing in mind this is a very new plant. Thanks xxx


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[Bex]

When its the right time to move I'm not sure there should be any stems left on the crown. Mine all die back completely so when its the right time for splitting/moving all you have is the crown. I'm not expert mind you.

[roitelet]

Let the stems die back and move them in the winter when they are dormant.

[Kristen]

If you have to move them before they die down then cut most/all stems off. The reduction in roots' ability to draw up water and nutrients needs to be matched to the amount of "top", so reducing the top means the plant isn't having to work too hard to keep itself alive

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Katie77 was it easy to grow from seed? I put a shop bought crown in last year and it did nothing. Would like to have Rhubarb again.

[Kristen]

Its easy to grow from seed, but I wouldn't - you'll get Heinz all-sorts and it will be a couple of years before you know that it crops well and tastes nice.

If you have space to grow on 50 plants, and then the heart to cull 48 of them (and the stomach for eating enough Rhubarb Crumble to select the best from the 50 plants ) then I'm full of admiration for you, and I will be as jealous as a jealous thing if you stumble over a variant that becomes the Next Big Thing

My advice is to get a root from someone-up-the-allotment who treasures and swears by the one they have, or spend some money from a well trusted source (in which case I suggest getting an Early and a Main Crop) - its going to crop "forever", so will work out cheap even if you have to buy it initially

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Thanks Kristen.

When we moved I meant to lift our old faithful and bring it with us. It was the right time of year and everything. But, best laid plans and all that... it didn't happen.

I previously purchased a root from a garden centre but it did not take and I am a garden grower.

I'll have a shop about - I am guessing Dec or March is the time to put one in the ground?

[Kristen]

I am guessing Dec or March is the time to put one in the ground?

Yup, looks like it. RHS say "Plant crowns in November or December. If necessary, planting can continue up to the beginning of March"

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=544

I bought a Timperley Early in March. Been meaning to buy & grow an early variety for eons, never got around to it, but was buying some fruit plants from a specialist grower so had one of those "Can't afford not to have it" (tm) moments. It came in a pot, was planted late March, so not ideal!, struggled for a bit after planting, but I watered it regularly through the summer and the thing is huge now. Should be a winner next spring (and, hopefully beautifully sweet)

[BUFFS]

if it was grown from seed this year its roots are not going to be large so I would drive a spade into the ground vertically around the plant , to form a square and lift it all out trying to stop it falling apart, then into a pot or into a hessian sack ready to take to the allotment, if you can keep the soil together it wont know its been moved, it worked for me..

[Katie77]

Thanks all! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply, I've been having teething problems with the forum/my I phone and couldn't see any of your replies, it seems I have to keep 'refreshing!'

Anyway, all your comments are useful and will take them all on board. Yes very easy to grow from seed and I've even had some stems off for jam it's grown that well! X


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[chrisdb]

Its easy to grow from seed, but I wouldn't - you'll get Heinz all-sorts and it will be a couple of years before you know that it crops well and tastes nice.

I've also grown rhubarb from seed this year - the seed packet said the variety was 'Early Red'. See here:

Buy Rhubarb Early Red - Seeds - Unwins Seeds

I would hope that if you buy a seed packet with a specific variety name on it, then the seeds would be fairly true to type and the variety would be of reasonable quality. So fingers crossed I guess.

The seed grown plants really took off and are actually quite big now, so perhaps a light harvest next spring for a taste test
will be possible.