rhubarb first growth

hi there - ive recently planted a new tuber of rhubarb, (split off a old plant) Ive heard you shouldnt eat the first years growth - im guessing so the tuber can fatten up - but is this just if its grown from seed? or is there some other reason i shouldnt eat the crop in the first year?

thanks in advance....

 

Hi Edbev,

Do not harvest the plant in the first year as the nutrients produced by the leaves should be channeled back into the roots to ensure a strong root system for stem production in the following years growth. In the second year harvest a couple of stalks per plant and after that you can harvest as normal.

hope this helps.

 

the plant is stressed already by cutting from other plant give it a year to recover , then you will have rhubarb for ever!!

 

I reckon that my growing rhubarb from seeds will be a boost - a stress free plant as the temptation to harvest will be resisted more ?

TTFN

 

thats a veritable rhubarb jungle!

 

Lovely Rhubarb Shiney,though I don't persnally like the taste of it myself...Yuk,but Mr Kandy loves it :D

Yes you do have a weedy :D

 

Just thinking about all that rhubarb makes my mouth water. Think of all the delicious cakes, pies and jams coming up, even juice since there is so much of it.

Hubby split ours 2 years ago so hopefully we'll have a bit more this year. We have the red variety which is not quite so tart but it doesn't produce as much as the green kind. Yours is looking really good shiney.