[greenqueen]

Can anyone tell me when should rhubard forcers be put in place ?

I've had two Victorian style beauties bought me for my birthday and can't wait to put them in situe     I think it's when the first leaves appear, is that right ?

greenqueen

[Steve.P]

Yes greenqueen, you are right. As soon as you see the first shoots appear, put the cover over.

[paintedlady]

Read this, and just wondered how established are your rhubarb?  Forcing can take a lot out of a plant, so it should be mature enough (ie, have a good root store) to recover afterwards.  Perhaps just force one plant this time, and the other next time?  

[greenqueen]

hmm ... the rhubarb was the only recognisable thing in my new garden !  I wouldn't want to sap it's strength so to speak.  There were three clumps, only discovered when cutting down the 'jungle' here.  I also 'found' a couple of pretty roses,  some honeysuckle,  a couple of paths  :?  and a Shepherds Hut       which I'm clearing out at the moment, I'm sure I'll find a way of using it somehow !

Perhaps I'll keep the forcers just for decorative purposes only then.
greenqueen

[corynsboy]

I've just finished looking into this.  As Paintedlady describes the plant needs to be mature.  A good candidate will be at least two years old.  Take a look at the plant around January, as it starts to show shoots cover with straw or well rotted manure and pop your closh on top.  You are looking to create spring conditions under the closh but with no light and plenty of food.  The stems should start to be ready from March.  The size and age of the plant will determine the yield.

Don't pick all the stems leave three or four remaining.  Don't pick anything after June and let the whole plant die back as with the normal rhubarb plants.

It's best to a have a few plants and force one mature plant then let that recover for a couple of seasons before forcing it again.  The forced plant will need plenty of feed and attention after you have picked the stems.  

I'm fortunate to have inherited a forest of Rhubarb so I can do two this year and it could be another four years before I get round to the first two again.

I've seen those forcing bells they are very beautiful I was thinking about treating myself to a pair when my dishwasher broke.  I'll have to wait until the new year now.

[dazza]

I have read soomewhere - either is a book or on here !

But a good number to have is 3 rhubarb and this is what you do:

Rhubarb 1 - force and pull early
Rhubarb 2 - pull as normal
Rhubarb 3 - Leave and don't pull this year !

next season

Rhubarb 1 - Leave and don't pull
Rhubarb 2 - Force and pull early
Rhubarb 3 - pull as normal

and so on, so every three years the plant gets a rest, i am also told you could add a fourth and split the crowns every four years making sure the one thats split is followed by one years rest !

Darren

[ColinGrigson]

Hi dazza , I don't know if your theory is based on fact but it does seem to be full of common sense , I have three young crowns and I think I'll give it a go next year .