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Overview
Rhubarb is a rhizomatous perennial that is grown for its edible leaf stalks (petioles) - which when stewed its unique flavour makes it one of the great foods of the world.
The large green basal leaves grow from a woody, winter dormant rhizome the stalks that support them are initially green then turn to red.
Some stems will grow to 1.5/1.8m tall and bear tiny cream flowers.
Most varieties like full sun, part shade but some newer varieties like full sun.
It prefers cooler climates for best growth but if a hot spell comes along it will go semi dormant until it cools to a more acceptable temperature e.g. around 20-30 degrees.
It is very frost hardy and even prefers a cold snap (below 5 degrees) to help it out of its winter sleep.
It is best to not harvest in the first year so that the rhizomes will build up strength for subsequent years - however this is not a strict rule (I was too impatient with mine and had a fairly good feed first season, Ed.).
Soil: It likes a well drained, friable soil that is rich with organic matter.
Keep it well watered though and a straw mulch will help maintain that moisture while keeping weeds at bay.
It will grow in any ph level soil but does a bit better if the soil is slightly acid.
Space plants 1.0-1.5 metres apart in order to maximise cropping.
Maintenance: Water well and fertilise with a cup of balanced garden fertiliser in springtime e.g. 10n, 10p, 10k.
Dig in good quantities of compost or composted manures in autumn.
N.B. do not use fresh manure as it will burn the plant.
Propogate by dividing the rhizomes in winter.
Diseases: Very pest resistant - not suprising when you understand that the leaves are highly toxic to humans (oxalic acid) and the stems have a high acid content (enough to clean the suacepan you cook it in).
It would take a very determined or suicidal pest to trouble this plant.
Toxicity: The leaves, although toxic, can be composted quite safely and will not raise the acidity of your heap as the acids also decompose.
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.
Symptoms after ingestion can be abdominal cramps, burning of mouth and throat, headache, weakness, nausea and vomiting, coma; may be fatal Kidney failure (in grazing animals), salivation in dogs/cats.
the most toxic parts are leaves and roots.
N.B. no parts cause issues by contact only - but its worth washing your hands after handling the leaves to avoid ingestion.
Other Species: 50 other species in this genus - most of the others are ornamentals.
However there are many varieties of this edible rhubarb including Canada Red, Red Stemmed, Egyptian Queen, Glaskin's Perpetual, Mammoth Red, McDonalds, Monarch and many many more.
Rhubarb self hybridises easily so the exact origins of any particular plant are almost impossible to determine.
Comments: Rhubarb can be grown indoors in winter to keep up a year round supply - but you have to be very keen to do this.
Author: Bob Saunders.