Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mikethetyke on May 30, 2011, 16:45

Title: RHUBARB RHUBARB RHUBARB
Post by: mikethetyke on May 30, 2011, 16:45
As a new allotment person, I found, lurking in a corner, some rhubarb, trying to survive among all the undesirables. The stalks, although plentiful are rather on the lean side, is there a way to thin the plant out to beef up the sticks? I would appreciate any input on this, thanks.
Title: Re: RHUBARB RHUBARB RHUBARB
Post by: Ice on May 30, 2011, 16:56
Sounds as if it's been neglected.  Give it a liquid feed and then dress it with lots of rotted manure over winter.  If it's been there some time you could lift and divide in Novemberish.  I've not heard of beefing them up by picking the stalks.
Title: Re: RHUBARB RHUBARB RHUBARB
Post by: fatbelly on May 30, 2011, 20:26
From my limited Rhubarb knowledge, there is not much you can do for this season.

Like ICE says give it a feed now and try not to pick too many of the stalks so that the leaves can put energy back into the plant, keep its growing area weed free so its not in competition with anything and then in the Autumn give it a lavish application of well rotted manure and look to it being renewed next season.
Title: Re: RHUBARB RHUBARB RHUBARB
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 30, 2011, 20:30
Give it lots of water too.  It's a very thirsty plant.