[madge]

As I am not fortunate enough to have an allotment let alone a back garden, I would like to try and grow some rhubarb in a container in the back yard.  Does anyone have any tips re type of rhubarb, compost etc.   

[mumofstig]

I don't know if it is just me but as i've said before i can't tell i from t'other.

Rhubarb is rhubarb!!

The container would have to be something like a half barrel i think as they do grow very big after a few years.

Can't for the life of me think what would be the best compost tho.....have to wait for someone else for that...................................

[Ice]

Use lots of well rotted manure, rhubarb needs feeding well.  Don't know about types but there are smaller varieties that I would use.  Mine is a giant and I think I would need a skip to plant it in if it had to go in a container.  (I inherited it, can't take any credit)

[Yorkie]

It is a good idea to use a soil-based compost such as John Innes No 3, which is intended for permanent planting, combined if you like with some manure.  Don't use too much manure as part of the soil mix, though, or it will rot away and leave you needing to top up significantly.  Definitely add manure or fertiliser annually on top too as Ice suggested.

[Ice]

Yes, lots of people put custard on their rhubarb, but I happen to know they prefere manure.

[Stripey_cat]

You need the deepest pot you can get your hands on - they send down ginormous tap roots.

[corynsboy]

We're forcing some in a half barrel at the moment.

http://growingyourownveg.blogspot.com/2009/03/dark-art-of-rhubarb-forcing.html

We used a bit of every thing.  A mix of soil from where the root was dug, rotted manure and non soil based compost (from spent grow bags I think) and it seems to be happy.  I do know is that Rhubarb is very hungry plant especially when you force it.

Of course forcing is not a permanent position and the root will go back in the earth as soon as it has died back.