Forcing rhubarb

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brotherdeal

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Forcing rhubarb
« on: January 01, 2013, 20:29 »
I have a 4 year old established crown and would like to force it. I have a metal bin I would like to cover it with. Does the bin need to have air holes punched in it? Or can I stick it straight onto the crown.

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prakash_mib

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2013, 21:13 »
You do understand that forcing rhubarb will make it weak... In the sense that when you've picked you have to throw the crowns. Best place is attick kind of place or some place similar to that. It needs air!!!  :)
One kid is handful. Two kids.... Example for chaos theory. Hats off to my mum who managed three...

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DD.

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2013, 21:28 »
You don't have to throw the crowns away after forcing, but it'll be no good next year.

In my opinion, the flavour, or lack of it, of forced rhubarb makes it not worth the effort to get it a few weeks early.

I prefer to wait a few weeks and still have a harvest next year!
Did it really tell you to do THAT on the packet?

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prakash_mib

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2013, 22:01 »
Hello dd!!!

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Peas let my pumpkins grow

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2013, 18:19 »
Another plot-holder near me said a plastic bucket with a brick on top was a good way to force rhubarb. And then to take the bucket away once it had got going. I didn't realise I would be the end of the plant though  :blush:

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Yorkie

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2013, 18:23 »
Unless the plant is relatively new (planted in the last 3-4 years or so), it won't kill it.  But you need to really feed it well next autumn / winter, and not harvest from it at all the following season, because it will have exhausted itself this year.
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...

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mumofstig

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2013, 18:55 »
The cover mustn't have holes in cos that would let the light in, which is what you're trying to exclude. You can also wrap some straw around the cover to keep the plant warmer. It takes from 7 - 8 weeks from putting the cover on  :)

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fatbelly

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2013, 19:25 »
I forced mine a few years ago & the Rhubarb does not taste as good as Rhubarb that is left to grow 'naturally'.  I thought the taste of the forced Rhubarb was somewhat insipid compared to unforced.

You don't have to throw the Crowns when they have been forced but it does stunt them for the following season, they do recover.
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DD.

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Re: Forcing rhubarb
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2013, 19:30 »
I refer my honourable friend to the answer I gave earlier!  :D

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=101091.msg1125001#msg1125001



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