Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: ian.ford on September 28, 2010, 15:38

Title: Moving a rhubarb plant
Post by: ian.ford on September 28, 2010, 15:38
Hi Guys
My son has a large rhubarb plant in his garden which he does not want so i am going to split it and plant it in mine along with the one i already have.
When is the best time to move it? Is it now or should i leave it until next year now. any replies and advice is most welcome.
Title: Re: Moving a rhubarb plant
Post by: DD. on September 28, 2010, 15:44
Over winter. Wait until it's died down.

A bit of manure when you move it won't come amiss.
Title: Re: Moving a rhubarb plant
Post by: Babstreefern on September 28, 2010, 16:54
In December.  Don't plant it straightaway, let the frost have a go at it - it won't harm it.  Then plant it in early to mid January.  If the root is really big (which they usually are), then hack it, and plant it piece-meal.  Again it won't harm the plant.  They are like a giant weed, nothing kills it.  I gave my boss a section of mine, and he planted it, then during the latter part of the summer, he put weed-killer over it (why I don't know :nowink:), but it came back again the following year :D
Title: Re: Moving a rhubarb plant
Post by: paintedlady on September 29, 2010, 04:14
They are like a giant weed, nothing kills it

I'm inclined to agree.  A couple of years ago I split a rhubarb crown with intentions of taking a piece to the allotment and put the clump into a big plastic bag and left it on the patio to take on my next trip ... then forgot.  Throughout winter the bare root with just a tiny bit of soil was frozen solid, then in spring started to grow, still in its bag, died back, spent another winter in said bag and blow me, started to grow again in spring this year.  At that point I thought I ought to plant it and it's doing fine  ;)