[chrissie B]

planted this year has sent up some stems about 10 - 12 ins in length , can i cook these as i was told to just let them grow to benifit the plant but its so tempting to chop and cook but want my plant to be good next year any ideas
chrissie b

[BabbyAnn]

as it is year one, iprobably be best to leave it until spring next year (just think, only 6 months away!)  You'll have a stronger more vigorous plant for it 

[DD.]

Agreed, just leave them be!

[simonwatson]

Your patience will be rewarded.

[chrissie B]

ok i will leave them ive just been pulling them away as thet have died off but they look nice and healthy , thought i wasent going to get anything , on a slightly different fruit im cutting back the raspberries how long should i leave them ?
chrissie b

[Trillium]

Definitely leave the rhubarb alone this year. It's already struggling to survive.

As for raspberries, if the cane is green, just cut to a manageable height, one that won't whip about in the wind. Any brown/dying canes need to be cut off at the base.

[chrissie B]

ok thanks for that .
chrissie b

[rowlandwells]

 i planted rhubarb plants this year that i raised from seed last year a variety called champagne [moles seeds] they did very well in pots but when i planted out on the Lottie we had a very wet month and they didn't survive

going to re-sow same variety from seed next season its said champagne has a very sweet flavour