rhubarb

Rhubarb
Is Rhubarb a vegetable or is it a fruit? We believe it should be called a vegetable because the stems of Rhubarb are eaten rather than the fruit.

Rhubarb originates from Siberia, and is a very hardy, frost resistant plant - in fact it needs a period of frost in the winter to produce the best stalks.

Because rhubarb is so hardy and will survive almost total neglect, it is often left to its devices in preference to other more demanding vegetables. This is a pity, because with minimal treatment at the correct time it will flourish and provide you with delicious stalks at a time when little else is cropping in the garden.

One word of warning - do not eat the leaves of rhubarb - they contain oxalic acid which is definitely poisonous to humans.

RHUBARB
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Folklore

Latin Name
Rheum rhaponticum

Type
Hardy perennial

Site and Soil
Full sun or partial shade, water retentive soil

Plant to Harvest Time
18 months

How Many?
2.5kg (5.5lb) per plant.

Care of Rhubarb
Rhubarb require very little care, but if you give them that care they will produce much finer stalks than neglected plants.

Every year after the leaves have died down, spread a new layer of garden compost or other well-rotted organic material around (but not touching the plants. This will conserve water and prevent weeds. In dry periods (normally only summer) give the plants a good watering, although this should only be required occasionally. In February , sprinkle a handful of general fertiliser (Growmore is fine) around the plants. Remove any weeds as they appear.

The only other attention required is to cut off flower heads which may appear in early spring as the new rhubarb stalks emerge. Do this as soon as possible - if the flower head is left to grow and set seed, the plant will never fully recover to good strength.

Divide Rhubarb
Rhubarb which is five years old or more can be dug up and split into three or four separate plants.
Force Rhubarb
Forced rhubarb is delicious - the stems are more tender, sweeter and don't need to be peeled. It's a simple process and well worth trying.

All you need is a container (dustbin, box, large pot, bucket etc.) which will exclude light. Place it over the rhubarb as soon as it begins to show signs of growth. The lack of light and the heating effect of the container will rapidly bring on the rhubarb which should be ready for eating in about four weeks, a good month or so before rhubarb that is not forced. When the rhubarb is picked (or it outgrows the covering) remove the covering and leave the rhubarb to recover for next year. Have a go, it's really simple and worthwhile.

Pests and Diseases
Originating from Siberia, rhubarb is very strong and suffers from few diseases or pests. The only problem will be Crown rot - the top of the plant rots badly and it can be knocked of with ease. There is no cure, dig up the infected plant and burn it.

Hope this helps