Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. You will have a stronger plant if you leave it for about a year before using..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, etc)

Your comments and tips

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11 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Manures are much the same, just some have a bit more N in them - they range about 2-3% to 6-7% I think. Look up the internet. Just buy a bag from a nursery and mix it in well.
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10 Feb 18, Mary Ann (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a rhubarb plant in a polystyrene box. It is growing well, and the stems are thick, but haven't coloured. Should I move it into shade?
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12 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
There is two types of rhubarb - green and red. Maybe you have the green variety. For 5-6 years I bought celery seedlings (the label shows a nice bunch of celery). Every year I end up with Italian Parsley or similar). Even from two different nurseries.
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05 Feb 18, stephen lavell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a young blueberry plant and a raspberry plant . Ive potted them in large 85l pots with good soil but unsure where they should be positioned in my yard. The info that came with the plants is very confusing. Any help would be great. Thanks Steve Lavell
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07 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet how to grow blueberry and raspberry.
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04 Feb 18, Charles Thompson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a Stratco planter box with no bottom and 30cm deep and standing on a partially shaded concrete slab. Will I be able to grow rhubarb in it under these conditions?
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05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
30 cm of soil on a concrete slab - I wouldn't do it. The shallow soil would require a lot of attention with watering and the concrete slab - how does the excess water drain away.
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21 Jan 18, Leanne (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a rhubarb plant,it has been in a pot for approximately 12 months. The stalks start to turn a pinkish color but then they die. The weather here is quite hot in summer. What do i need to do for it
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22 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try putting it where it gets part shade during the day and keep the water up to it. Good draining soil.
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15 Jan 18, kevin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my rhubarb crown in October and it has been doing really well till i hit it with some nitrosol now it has completely died did i do the wrong thing
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Showing 131 - 140 of 474 comments
See comments for all plants

Rhubarb can be very variable. I have seen both short and long stemmed rhubarb in the shops. I have also seen some with mostly green stems and some that are deep red for their full length. As most rhubarb is grown from seed, and there are also a number of different varieties, this variation is inevitable. at a house where we used to live the soil was very rich and we had thick, deep red stems that were about 600 mm (24") long. We shifted to another town with a slightly different climate and soil that still needs improving more and the stems are still a good colour but not as long.

- Giovanni

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