Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. You will have a stronger plant if you leave it for about a year before using..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, etc)

Your comments and tips

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17 Nov 15, Annette Jackson (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Am growing rhubarb in Johannesburg in a sunny. Position is that why it has green stalks
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25 Aug 15, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I've just bought a plant from the nursery at Virgina Circle opp Checkers can't remember their name now.
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14 May 15, yano govender (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
want to buy a Rhubarb plant i live in durban kzn in the phoenix area..heard so much about this stuff wanna taste it
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13 Mar 15, paula (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
where can i buy Rhubarb plant in durban north if you plant stick o\f bought rhubard will it grow from shop bought rhubard
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09 Mar 15, craig linton (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
can rhubarb grow in a tunnel.?
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16 Nov 14, Helena Brand (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please tell me how must one cook rhubarb. My mother in law cooked this many time, but I never asked to do this. Plain simple recipy.
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24 Nov 14, Helena Brand (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I steamed the rhubarb and it came out lovely with custard. Very chuffed with myself
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06 Nov 13, vallery scheepers (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
We are staying in the east rand.Where can i buy Rhubarb plants or seed ?
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03 Nov 13, Piero (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Is there a way to produce a sweeter crop of stalks by feeding specific compounds?
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14 Jan 13, Elsie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
This plant seems to be almost unavailable. Where in the world can one get hold of seedlings or seeds if possible? Thank you for your good work!
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Showing 51 - 60 of 63 comments
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I am growing Victoria rhubarb in three-gallon nursery pots in North Georgia. I started the plants (small roots) this spring in a sunny area during cool weather, but moved them into partial to full shade as the heat increased. The soil in the pots is a loamy sand mixed half and half with compost. I water daily, about a quart of water per plant. I top dress each pot with about a teaspoon of granular 13-13-13 fertilizer whenever I notice growth slowing down, roughly once a month.. So far, it has handled temperatures up to 95 F with no problems. My plants are huge, about 3.5 feet across with long thick stems. One thing I have noticed! is the stems are mostly green, not red, this could be due to the shade, or possibly heat. They still taste great in strawberry rhubarb pie, though I'm harvesting very little this first year, hoping for the plants being larger and stronger next year. As a precaution against disease, any leaves and stems that are starting to yellow with age I pull off of the plant and compost them.

- Catt Mandu

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