Growing And Taking Care of Rhubarb

While many consider it to be an ornamental plant due to its bold foliage and colorful stalks, many people consider growing rhubarb due to its culinary uses. The petioles or leaf stems are the only part of the plant that are used for cooking. It is the non-toxic malic acid that provides the sharp flavor to it.

Whether you wish to grow this plant solely for ornamental purposes or culinary uses, make sure that the leaves or parts other than the leaf stem are never ingested by anyone. The presence of poisonous oxalic acid in these can pose certain health risks.

Rhubarb is a cool season herbaceous plant that does not do well in very hot weather. So, the best time for planting it would be during the late spring or winter season. It is winter hardy, which is why you can safely plant this plant in winter.

It grows best when the temperature is below 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is high it will start wilting. So, select the planting site accordingly.

The soil should be well-drained. Ideally, the soil pH should lie anywhere between 6.0 to 6.8, but it can grow well in acidic soil as well. The soil must also be fertile. Since this plant has a deep root system, you will need to prepare the soil beforehand.

You must loosen the soil up to a depth of at least 10 inches. The soil must then be amended with the help of organic matter. Make sure that you remove all the weeds. The planting site must receive partial to full sun.

This plant can be grown from seeds or crowns, but if you are thinking about growing it from seeds, be ready to wait for a couple of years. Seed germination process is not too fast and it might take 1-2 years for the stalks to appear.

If you are using seeds, then you will need to soak the seeds in water for a few hours before planting them. Make sure that you use a good planting mix. Once the plants reach a height of 3-4 inches, these can be transplanted. Make sure that you transplant them at a distance of three feet from each other.

A better option would be to buy one-year-old rhubarb plants (crowns) from the garden center. These crowns must be planted about 10 centimeters below the surface of the soil, while the crown bud must lie about 2 inches under the surface of the soil.

Though most of the varieties are drought-resistant, you must water the plant regularly during the growing season. Don't go on a watering spree, as that can cause damage to the roots. Make sure that the top layer of the soil remains moist at all times. Mulching with straw or other mulching materials will help in controlling weeds.

It will also help the soil retain moisture. You can also use manure or fertilizers to promote the growth of the plant. Once the plant is well-established, the petioles can be harvested. Those who are using seeds will have to wait for at least three years for harvesting the leaf stalks. Make sure that you pull the largest of the stem.

You must gently pull the stem around its base. Make sure that you don't cause damage to the plant while you harvest the petioles. You can also use natural pesticides, if you see any signs of damage due to aphids, slugs, or snails.