Can anybody give me some tips on moving my Rhubarb

vegmandan · « **on:** October 12, 2008, 19:43 »

I've had a couple of big Rhubarb plants in a neglected part of my plot for about 10 years and even though they are still very productive I now want to move them somewhere else.

Can anyone tell me when I can move them and how much of the roots I should dig up with the crown and if it's necessary to divide them even though they still produce thin red stalks after having been just left alone for 10 years now.

Cheers.

Ice · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2008, 19:48 »

Move them in november. Do what you like to them they are as tough as old boots. Slit them with a spade.

Rampant_Weasel · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2008, 20:49 »

i was given some rhubarb for my garden (just the crown) and it had no roots on it.i was told to chop it in half with a spade and then plant the 2 halves with a large bag of well rotted horse * for them to feed on.
i did as ordered and both plants doing fine

corynsboy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2008, 12:40 »

Yep. My own have been moved and abused and they are fine.

Wait for the leaves to die back so that you are left with just the crown so that you move the plant when it is dormant. I cut mine with a good sharp spade and they were fine. I'm still a novice but I think that because I moved the plant when all the leaves had gone then it didn't matter about the roots too much. When I'd finished cutting it up, the rhubarb just grew based on the size of the root that remained. I don't know if that is correct but it feels right.

They do love a bit of food so, whilst they probably can suffer all kinds of treatment, don't skimp on the TLC when you plant them again. Plenty of compost for the roots and a good dressing of well rotted horse muck on top will keep the crown nice and cosy during the winter.

Only one of the crowns did not take and it just sort of disappeared. I did not pick any of the stalks from the split crowns this year. They were fine but a bit on the thin side compared to my others. They have just about died back now and I'll dress them with muck again in November.

Let us know who you get on.

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Can anybody give me some tips on moving my Rhubarb

vegmandan