Rhubarb - how long before signs of life

[wulf]

A few weeks ago I planted a couple of rhubarb roots. They had been purchased in autumn 2008 but not planted out. By the time I got to them, they were both pretty dessicated but I figured it was worth a try.

How long do you think I should have to wait before seeing any signs of life? If I can be sure that they are dead, is there time to put some replacement plants in now or would I be better off waiting until next spring? Ideally I'd like to harvest some next year although I appreciate that they will need a fair amount of time to settle in.

Wulf

[Odsox]

They are probably OK Wulf if you give them a good soak to rehydrate them, they are after all the same family as our beloved dock and you know how hard it is to kill those.
It wouldn't be wise to harvest any stems at all in their first year though as they need to get a good root system going first.
If you are thinking of getting some replacements, what you could do is pot those dessicated ones (after soaking) and put them under the sink or in a cupboard somewhere.
Then you will force an early (small) crop and then throw them away after.

[wulf]

They got well watered in and we've had a fair amount of rain over the past few weeks. Maybe I'll just expand the bed and put in another plant or two (blessed with lots of space). If the old roots don't come to anything, they can be dug out and replaced with better plants next year.

Thanks,

Wulf

[JillStephens7]

Fingers crossed for your rhubarb Wulf, I love the stuff.

Does anyone know if this would be a good time to lift & replant rhubarb?

I'd like to put some in a pot so we can take some with us when we move (no moving plan so no rush), just wondered if this might be a good time while it's asleep? Jill

[Odsox]

Yes, you are right Susie.
What normally happens is that the frosted roots are then planted in large pots or buckets and brought indoors (greenhouse), then given warmth and kept in the dark, to give extra early bright red stems.
But just potted up to take with you when you move is no different.

[JillStephens7]

Thank you

Now I just need to wait 'til I can get a spade in the ground. Worst frost so far today here.

[JillStephens7]

Sorry to be slow, but do I really just dig some up tomorrow and leave it out til spring then re-pot ?

Plants are incredible. There'd be nothing left of me to re-pot if you left me out til spring

Thanks, Jill

[Odsox]

You can pot them up anytime you like Jill, although if the ground is frozen it might be a bit of a challenge.
If the plant is more than a year old, be prepared for a huge tap root ... rather like a big parsnip or an overgrown dock weed (same family), and have a suitable bucket sized container for it.

[JillStephens7]

Thanks again, just looking for excuses to potter about in the garden in freezing cold weather really, other than starting smoking again

[frozenthunderbolt]

A few weeks ago I planted a couple of rhubarb roots. They had been purchased in autumn 2008 but not planted out. By the time I got to them, they were both pretty dessicated but I figured it was worth a try.

How long do you think I should have to wait before seeing any signs of life? If I can be sure that they are dead, is there time to put some replacement plants in now or would I be better off waiting until next spring? Ideally I'd like to harvest some next year although I appreciate that they will need a fair amount of time to settle in.

Wulf

the trick with rhubarb is to plan them in compost on manure on dead animals mulched with compost and manure and liquid feed the bajezzuz out of them - it is impossible to feed them too much! I just took around 12 Kg of it off one of my neibours hands and have made jam, syrup, wine, fizzy-pop and am preserving some. she grows hers in 'soil' made from horse poo and grass clippings.
It also helps she has a great variety - im getting more crowns soon to supplement my meager plantation!

[Minnesota]

the trick with rhubarb is to plan them in compost on manure on dead animals....

really Dead Animals ?
isn't that a little unsanitary ?

[frozenthunderbolt]

the trick with rhubarb is to plan them in compost on manure on dead animals....

really Dead Animals ?
isn't that a little unsanitary ?

Nope its recycling - natural blood and bone with minimal carbon footprint!