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Rhubarb on allotment...

FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810
in Fruit & veg

As above, there is rhubarb on my allotment which seems to be growing at a rate of knots, but I don't know A- how old it is and B- what to do with it to help it grow well?

Should I just leave it and see what happens or dig it out? 

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,724

    Lots of general info on this thread http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/fruit-andamp-veg/rhubarb-from-scratch/394707.html 

     

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    Thanks DfA. I saw that before I posted but that seemed to be aimed at new plants, the one I have is inherited. There are about 6 or 7 stalks on there that are green as opposed to the pinky-red colour I assumed it would need to be harvested

  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    I've been having a google and it looks like it could be ok for harvesting image I don't know how old it is, but I'd say it's at least two years old. I've taken plenty of lottie pics but none of the rhubarb as I'd assumed I wasn't keeping it. It's only been watching it grow this last week that's made me think of it

  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Im sure its fine, you have to do quite alot to really damage rhubard image
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,724

    Yes, some varieties are pink stemmed and some are greener - I'd pull some now and try it out.  It's coming to the end of the time when you should be harvesting it, but as you've not taken any earlier in the season it will be fine to take some now.

    When you pull grasp the stem down low and pull and twist so that the whole stem comes away witthout leaving a stump - this way will guard against any rot setting in.   

    I only pull about a third of the stems at a time.  

    Although the link I gave was about new rhubarb, this post gives general info about looking after your rhubarb. 

    Dovefromabove wrote (see)

    Rhubarb should be planted with lots of organic matter and not allowed to dry out.  However, take care not to let the soil get wet and boggy.

    Don't harvest any stems in the first year after planting and only take a few in the following year.  Always stop harvesting after mid to late June, to allow the crown to build up for the following year. 

    I give mine a feed of Fish, Blood & Bone in spring, again in mid summer when I stop picking, and again in late autumn when I also mulch around the crown with well rotted farmyard manure.

    When all the leaves have died right down in the late autumn remove them so they don't encourage rot in the crown. .....

     

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    I've looked at it this evening. There are either 6 or 7 stalks (I can't remember), the longest being about 8 inches long. Up until about a week ago, it had been completely covered by grass and blackberries, but is now clear. 

    I would have thought it would have been longer than that though, unless it was and it's all been picked before I got the keys image

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    If the stalks are short and pathetic (they should be up to 2' long and an inch thick!), it probably needs a feed, and it won't have been helped by being covered with the grass and brambles.  Once you've got all the weeds out (don't worry too much about damaging its roots - they're pretty deep) I should give it a good meal as described above by Dove and keep it very well watered if it doesn't rain a lot.

    Tbh, if I was handing over an allotment at this time of year I think I'd probably take a last crop of rhubarb.  Wouldn't you?

    You should have a bumper crop next spring!

  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    Thanks image

    since it was cleared, it seems to have been growing at a rate of knots, so hopefully I might get some to pick soon image I'm keeping a very close eye on it though lol

    will it be ok feeding it now? 

    I'll try posting a pic of it later if I can figure out how image

  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    I've got a pic but I'm still trying to work out how to upload it. I can't see any toolbar above my dialogue box image

     

    I can can see it on my iPad but not my phone, and guess which of the two the pic is on *sigh* 

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