Rhubarb

[ogilvie]

Is that how you spell it? I think I have lost my rhubarb crown, I don't see any firm buds or any sign of life at all. I dug out a new veggie bed in the garden in October, loosened up the sub soil put the top soil back over it and then added loads of garden compost to it because it is clay soil. I planted my rhubarb into this, I should say at this point it is a raised bed, thanks to OH's brickwork (2 high). The beds, raised or otherwise are waterlogged, we have not had a dry day for weeks. We haven't even had it dry enough to put in course grit yet, which I'm now regretting.

Is there any hope for my poor rhubarb? Should I maybe lift it and pot it up in the greenhouse? Any advice gratefully received.

Ogilvie (tearfully hopeful)

[Nicos]

It depends on the variety.
I have 4 or 5 varieties and only one (timperley early) had started to push up shoots. Leave it be- it's a pretty tough plant to kill off- you'll find out soon enough!
I think you'll be fine- they quite like it wet!

[ogilvie]

Thanks for that Nicos. Don't know the variety but I do know it isn't Timperley Early. I'll watch anxiously and keep an eye on it.

Ogilvie (more hopeful)

[Poledragon]

I once retrieved a couple of rhubarb crowns that had spent the entire winter in a bucket half full of water and rotting vegetaton, and once planted they went crackers, so I wouldn't worry too much about waterlogged soil.

The only thing that might have gone wrong is you could have planted it too deep. They don't like to be completely covered over - the ones I got out of the bucket had the shoots sticking out of the top even if the roots were submerged. If you cover the crowns up, they rot.

[ogilvie]

Poledragon,

I haven't covered up the crown, so I'm still hopeful. Will watch it with anticipation, we only moved it to get it into a better position. It had been growing big strong shoots but they weren't ripening up and stayed green, it was in a bit of garden that didn't get any sun.

Thanks for the advice.
Ogilvie

[Nicos]

Not all varieties go red. Only 3 of ours do.

[ogilvie]

Only one word to reply to this in my ignorance - OH! or two words and make it - OH DEAR!! I didn't know this, I haven't grown rhubarb before and thought it should be like the stuff I buy in the shops which is red. I think I have an awful lot to learn and surely with this quality of help and advice I will eventually get there. I have put in for an allotment but it could be a couple of years before I get one so this is all so much practice for the days to come.

I think I had better get in a lot of practice and make most of my mistakes now on a smaller scale than on the allotment.

Thanks again Nicos.
Ogilvie (a very little wiser)

[Nicos]

Ahh...it's a bit like being a new parent isn't it??
I'm still learning after years of owning a lottie- there is so much to get right and wrong, but that's how we learn!
This site is fantastic as between us, we have a wealth of info ( even if it's a long list of things not to do!!!!)
Glad you've joined us, and hope you get the lottie soon- you'll be like a kid with a new red bike!!!!

[ogilvie]

I sure am looking forward to it.

Ogilvie