RhubarbRheum

Rhubarb

Rhubarbs

1. Rhabarbarum

1. pie plant
2. garden rhubarb

1. culinary rhubarb

1. rha

1. rubarb

1. NameRhubarb

   Languageen

   Shared with

   1. Bog rhubarb (Petasites hybridus)

   Clarification

   Refers to the genus Rheum, not the butterbur species.

1. rhubarb
2. Rheum
3. Polygonaceae

1. Angiosperms
2. Eudicots
3. Caryophyllales

Buckwheat family

1. Rumex
2. Fagopyrum esculentum

1. leaf stalks
2. petioles

Rhubarb is an indestructible classic of the spring garden. As a long-lived perennial, it provides tart and refreshing stalks for compotes and cakes for many years.

1. Taskplanting

   Label

   Planting rhubarb

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Cover root buds only lightly with soil.

1. Taskpropagation

   Label

   Root division

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 10
   2. 11

   Estimated efforthigh

   Notes

   Divide large crowns with a spade; each part needs a bud.

Sunny to semi-shade

Low; wind tolerant

Medium-heavy, deep, humus-rich

Well-drained but moisture-retentive

Regular, especially during drought and harvest

Heavy fertilization in March and a follow-up fertilization after harvest in June.

Perennial crop; stays in the same location for 8-10 years.

1. Legumes
2. Broad beans
3. Green manure

1. Light feeders
2. Lettuce
3. Radishes

Rhubarb is a perennial crop and should stay in the same spot for 8-10 years; afterwards, keep the soil free of buckwheat family plants for at least 4-6 years.

1. Aphids
2. Voles

1. Leaf spot fungi
2. Rot pathogens

1. Strictly avoid waterlogging.
2. Ensure balanced fertilization.
3. Remove dead foliage in autumn.

Common problems arise from planting too closely or nutrient deficiencies after the harvest season.

1. Slugcrown-rot

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Heavy soils
   2. Waterlogging

   Affected parts

   1. Crown
   2. Stalk base

   Prevention

   1. Improve drainage
   2. Do not plant too deep

   Organic control

   1. Remove infected plants and dispose of in household waste

1. Symptom

   Leaves turn yellow and wilt despite moist soil

   Possible causes

   1. Crown Rot (Phytophthora)
   2. Nitrogen Deficiency

   First checks

   1. Check base of the crown for rot
   2. Review fertilization history

1. Winter dormancy
2. Sprouting of red leaf buds
3. Leaf expansion
4. Flower stalk development
5. Dying back of foliage in late autumn

Rhubarb requires a period of winter cold (vernalization) to sprout vigorously in spring.

May to June

Greenish-white to reddish

Flower stalks should be removed to direct the plant's energy into stalk production.

April to June

Pull and twist stalks from the base; do not cut them.

Weekly during the season; never harvest more than one-third of the leaves at once.

1. Stalks have reached desired thickness
2. Leaf blades are fully expanded
3. Stalks appear turgid and firm

Remove leaves immediately as they draw moisture from the stalk; keep the stalk base clean.

1. Wrapped in a damp cloth in the refrigerator
2. Frozen (raw or blanched)
3. Canned or preserved

Short-term (fresh) or long-term storage (frozen/preserved)

In the refrigerator about 1 week; frozen up to 12 months.

1. Freezing
2. Canning as compote
3. Making jam
4. Juicing

Usually not necessary for young stalks; peel fibrous older stalks.

1. Cake topping
2. Compote
3. Desserts
4. Syrup

Tart, refreshing, astringent

1. Strawberries
2. Vanilla
3. Ginger
4. Sweet woodruff

Often combined with plenty of sugar or sweet fruits due to high acidity.

1. Leaf stalks (petioles)

1. Leaf blades (high oxalic acid content)
2. Rhizome/Rootstock

Leaves are toxic due to high oxalic acid concentration. Oxalic acid levels in stalks increase significantly after late June (St. John's Day).

Possible in small amounts, but can affect tooth enamel; cooking reduces available oxalic acid.

Allow seed heads to turn brown and dry, then cut them.

Seed-propagated rhubarb is genetically variable; varietal purity is only guaranteed through division.

Different Rheum species can cross-pollinate.

Rhubarb is botanically not woody, but due to its perennial nature and crown maintenance, it is often managed similarly to berry bushes in garden planning.

Large leaves provide shade and moisture for soil organisms. Flower stalks attract various insects, though they are usually removed to prioritize yield.

Time for base fertilization and start of harvest.