Rhubarb newbie

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morag66

Rhubarb newbie

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Posts: 43

14-05-08 22:57

Hi everyone

I've been growing some rhubarb and this is its second year. Didn't take any stems from the plant last year cos I read you're not supposed to. Now I'm wondering how to tell when the stems are ready to be picked. Do they have to be a particular colour/length etc to be "ripe"?

TIA

Cheers

Morag

Plot 52

#1

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Posts: 4599

14-05-08 23:09

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No the colour depends on the variety... some are very red some aren't. They are ready when you pick them but after July they can get tough and stringy and the oxalic acid content starts to rise... that's what puts your teeth on edge!!

shirleyellenp

#2

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Posts: 8892

14-05-08 23:17

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Also, if you make sure to take off the seed heads, the rhubarb will stay nicer longer and you'll get more new growth. I harvest the bigger stalks all throughout the summer.

LynneBee

#3

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Posts: 6332

15-05-08 07:50

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Yes I harvest all throughbut if the stms are only 3 to 6 inch's I leave them to grow a bit longer, I removed the seed head just on Tuesday for my red one and am waiting for the seed head to appear on the green one I have no names as I inherited these.

Mrs Muggleton

#4

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Posts: 4547

15-05-08 08:55

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We've got two roots and they're cropping well at the moment, like Lynne I leave them till there over about 7 inches long - obviously the longer you leave them the bigger they'll get!

BryonyUK

#5

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Posts: 4088

21-05-08 21:59

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I have got rhubarb in my cuttings border. I don't like rhubarb and have tried to get rid of them, but they are still coming back. They are quite good as slug-bait. I might harvest the stalks I have and sell them in the farm shop at work (I do that with my apples and pears).