[fatbelly]

Hi today I put a black bin over one of my Rhubarb Crowns to 'force' it.
The Crown was just beginning to peek through the soil, how long should I leave the bin on before the sticks are ready to harvest?

Thanks

[Nikkithefoot]

I don't mean to be flippant, but leave the bin on until the shoots are the size you want. I would check every few days to see how they are growing.

[DavidT]

I agree with Nikki, check every few days. Basically it depends on variety and temperature. In this cold weather it will take longer than in milder winters.

[MoreWhisky]

I to have a bud just showing through the soil, so i take it if i want to force it its ok to start now?

[DD.]

Now's the time to try.

I did it once.

By the time mine had been forced the variety on Mrs Digger's plot had overtaken it. My forced stuff was tasteless and of course it stuffed up the crown for next year.

Incidentally, I dug out that root 3 years ago. It's now bigger than ever.

[8doubles]

Now's the time to try.

I did it once.

By the time mine had been forced the variety on Mrs Digger's plot had overtaken it. My forced stuff was tasteless and of course it stuffed up the crown for next year.

As DD said i tried it with one crown and it was tasteless , worth waiting a bit longer for the proper stuff.

[andtiggertoo]

Ah ! I thought the purpose of forcing was to get tender sweet stems not just early ones. I had a huge rhubarb patch, which I just split last week. Have planted 3 sections aroung my frog pond, gave 3 big sections to neighbours, and had a couple of spare ones, one of which I'm forcing in a terracotta pot in the yard.

Perhaps forcing it when it's just been split might be a bit harsh but decided to give it a go, am a bit overun with the stuff !

After reading this am wondering whether to bother. Has anyone forced rhubarb on here and been pleased with the result ?

Also does it need watering much or at all while being forced ?

Thanks

[moonosbailey]

We did this last year and produced the best rhubarb I've ever tasted. Last year was very different weather though so who knows when the magic will happen this year! I remember seeing rhubarb around feb though we had ours in april.