[Digger Tom]

 My allotment backs onto a disuded plot & in the middle of it is this monster.

 

 It is over 5 foot tall. Is there any way for me to nick a bit & get new plants from it?

 I will repeat this is an abandoned plot so its not like I would be stealing it.

 ps, i dont realy like rhubarb but I have heard there is a way to force it to grow super sweet.

[noshed]

Cut out that middle flower now, to conserve the plant's strength. You could pull a few stalks while you're at it...
Then in the autumn when it has died down, take a spade and dig out a chunk of root - they are tough, with yellow insides. Make sure you get a fairly big bit. They take a bit of chopping.
Then put it in a hole where you have dug in a load of compost/rotted manure.
You can also do this in the early spring.

[Digger Tom]

Cut out that middle flower now, to conserve the plant's strength. You could pull a few stalks while you're at it...
Then in the autumn when it has died down, take a spade and dig out a chunk of root - they are tough, with yellow insides. Make sure you get a fairly big bit. They take a bit of chopping.
Then put it in a hole where you have dug in a load of compost/rotted manure.
You can also do this in the early spring.

 Thanks for that.

 As for forcing the sweetness, I have heard it just a matter of growing them in the dark. Animic stalks in other words. Am I right?

[DD.]

Never force a new crown. Even an established one is no good for the following year if you do.

I tried it once and was seriously unimpressed.

[noshed]

You can force a bit of the root by putting it in a pot with another pot over the top to block out the light, but this knackers that bit of root entirely.
Mine tastes nice as it is - bake it in the oven with some honey and ginger and orange zest - yum!

[8doubles]

Never force a new crown. Even an established one is no good for the following year if you do.

I tried it once and was seriously unimpressed.

I am not a fan of forced rhubarb, a lot of messing about for little taste.
If it`s too sharp just add more sugar.

[Digger Tom]

Never force a new crown. Even an established one is no good for the following year if you do.

I tried it once and was seriously unimpressed.

I am not a fan of forced rhubarb, a lot of messing about for little taste.
If it`s too sharp just add more sugar.

 I can not see the point of growing somthing so sharp/bitter that you have to drown it in sugar to disguise the tase. I dont think i will bother.
 I didnt Rhubarb it as a kid & probably still wont now so no point really.

[8doubles]

I did not like bitter when i was young but now.................