Rhubarb

[pink_weasel]

I have a small rhubarb plant. I have a trowl. What do I do next?

Google seems to think I should bury the entire thing* but that seems rather excessive. It also thinks I should do this in spring, but what do I do with it till then

Comments

[fahrenheit_f430]

My uncle used to grow rhubarb. From what I remember you cut the stalks off at the ground to harvest it, then cover it in growbag soil and put a bin over it.

Rhubarb is strange stuff.

[pink_weasel]

The more I read about it, the odder it's behaviour seems. I LOVE rhubarb crumble though, so it will be worth any effort that goes into it.

[fahrenheit_f430]

It is peculiar! Depriving it of light makes it grow faster, I think. I only checked back 'cause I remember my uncle's rhubard bin had a couple of holes in the base. My uncle was one of those show gardeners so, the whole dustbin thing could've been to make it grow straighter, wider or I don't even know.

Rhubarb crumble is an excellent cause to focus on!

If you get around to gooseberries... *holds up bowl* Gooseberry fool is most epic. :D

[pink_weasel]

Gooseberrys! No. They look all sweet and furry, then taste evil. I might plant a raspberry thing.

[uninvitedcat]

Um, my old family home had a rhubarb plant. From what I remember, we harvested rhubarb by gently but persistently pulling on a stalk (near the base) until it parted company.

I don't recall doing much else with it, but it was a well-established plant that grew back every year whether we wanted it to or not.

this page seems to be fairly sensible, but it looks like it's talking about planting a rhubarb plant that has no leaves.

[pink_weasel]

I wonder if I should remove the leaves? It seems pretty indestructable. Someone else just suggested sticking it in a big planter with loads of rich mulch.

[elfinessy]

BURY IT!!!!!!!!!!
Rhubarb plants will rise up and TAKE OVER THE WORLD if we're not careful