Early rhubarb

noshed · « **on:** March 14, 2007, 16:48 »

Mine is growing like mad already. I think we could be in a crumble situation at the weekend.

DD. · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2007, 16:57 »

Beat You!!!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2007, 17:58 »

Oooo... Yum I just love rhubarb crumble with loads of custard

My rhubard is only about 3-4" long at present. Having just split and transplanted it I didn't want to force it this year

DD. · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2007, 18:20 »

I can't explain why it's done so well, it's not really in a sheltered spot & in adjacent allotments rhubarb is the same height as your's aunt Sally. It never fully died down over winter. Must be made of stern stuff!

Jeanieblue · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2007, 19:01 »

I brought home three 6 inch sticks today - the first 'crop' ever off our allotment - have left the rest to grow - I enjoyed all six mouthfuls!

ruffmesiter_69 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2007, 19:43 »

blimey!!!! did you force that? ours just have their first signs of life`

DD. · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2007, 19:48 »

Quote from: "ruffmesiter_69"

blimey!!!! did you force that? ours just have their first signs of life`

No I've done stuff all to it!!!

We unearthed it when we first cleared Mrs. Digger's plot in June 2005, it had been cut back to ground level by the council who had cleared the surface.

It's not even smelt a bit of manure. Just as they did last year, the crowns are already throwing up flower spikes - my Grandad's sickle makes short work of them though!

Jeanieblue · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2007, 19:53 »

I reckon Digger Dave waters his rhubarb patch with custard !

loubylou29 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2007, 20:08 »

mine has not been forced, and has recently been moved, but it is surprisingly getting big, how do you know when it is big enough to pull?

Last year it was pretty obvious the stems were big, and many, so I pulled s ome, then it started fading, so I pulled the last of them..

How will I know when to pull this year? Can you just pull them all and wait for more to grow? or d o you need to leave a couple of stems in it?

Lucy

muntjac · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2007, 20:11 »

pull till your fed up eating it i usually stop about august/ sept as it needs to have a bit of time to get a feed down to the haulms good feeding will boost the amount of sticks you get and splitting the haulm in spring will increase yields even further

DD. · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2007, 12:11 »

This is Mrs. Digger's rhubarb clump:

muntjac · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2007, 13:48 »

id split that n have 2 new clumps to get bigger

DD. · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2007, 14:31 »

Well, when I say clump, it's one of them, if you look to the left of the picture you can just see a leaf of t'other one trying to get in the frame. Got enough already, but may split them up come autumn & see if anyone else wants some.

noshed · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2007, 14:58 »

I split one of mine and it has taken off - must be the secret.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2007, 15:15 »

Now here is the science bit:

The poison in rhubarb leaves is oxalic acid. It is found only in small quantities in the leaf stalks, the bit we eat. I'm sure you all know the effect that oxalic acid has on the digestive system :shock:

Throughout the growing season the oxalic acid content in all parts of the plant gradually increases. Therefore, rhubarb picked later in the season say from mid June onwards will have a more..... drastic... effect on the tum.

The moral of this story is... eat plenty early in the season and leave it to grow and build up it's roots later in the summer, or pull it to give to people you don't much like

No.... Aunty would not be so wicked :roll:

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