My first rhubarb crowns

[enchant]

I ordered three Victoria rhubarb crowns from Johnnys Seeds.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-7757-victoria.aspx
They just arrived, and the instructions say to put them in the ground as soon as possible. My plans are to dig a new garden for them, but that won't be ready for a few weeks. In the meanwhile, I filled a large planter with compost and planted the three crowns in that.

At this point, they just look like dead sticks that you'd find on the ground. How long before I should see any life? I understand that I won't be harvesting anything this year. I just want to know at what point I should get concerned if I don't see any activity.

[Tormato]

Originally Posted by enchant

I ordered three Victoria rhubarb crowns from Johnnys Seeds.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-7757-victoria.aspx
They just arrived, and the instructions say to put them in the ground as soon as possible. My plans are to dig a new garden for them, but that won't be ready for a few weeks. In the meanwhile, I filled a large planter with compost and planted the three crowns in that.

At this point, they just look like dead sticks that you'd find on the ground. How long before I should see any life? I understand that I won't be harvesting anything this year. I just want to know at what point I should get concerned if I don't see any activity.

Hopefully planted right-side-up, and very shallow. I don't know when they'll break dormancy, but the first sign should be pinkish red bulges coming out of the crown.

[twillis2252]

I planted Victoria and Canada Red in one of my planting beds two years ago in March. I fertilized heavily with manure, compost, used coffee grounds and an ample supply of mulch. By mid June I was able to obtain some very nice cuttings. Continued to harvest every six weeks into the Fall. Noticed two weeks ago nice healthy crowns under mulch. I would make sure they are planted correctly. Mulch them good and you should be rewarded with growth in short order...Good Luck!

[Tormato]

I've heard it's best not to cut (cuttings?). I twist/snap them off below the soil line.

[rockman]

Our Rhubarb is up 5'' . Yes we always pull to pick also.

[twillis2252]

Originally Posted by Tormato

I've heard it's best not to cut (cuttings?). I twist/snap them off below the soil line.

My faux pax! You are correct. I do twist the crowns at the base. Sorry for not being more concise...

[Andrey_BY]

My rhuburb today

[enchant]

Originally Posted by twillis2252

I planted Victoria and Canada Red in one of my planting beds two years ago in March. [...] By mid June I was able to obtain some very nice cuttings.

Everywhere I looked, the common instructions were to not harvest anything during the first season. My plants were huge, but per instructions, I didn't touch them. I'd kinda like to know what terrible thing would have happened if I'd made a couple of strawberry rhubarb pies during this first season.

At any rate, fall is here and things are starting to wilt. Should I continue to not touch them and let the leaves and stalks just sit there and rot? Are there any steps I should take to "winterize" them?

[brownrexx]

Nothing terrible would have happened if you snapped a few stalks but oh well...

I just let the dead leaves of the rhubarb mulch the crown and I remove the debris in the spring.

If it gets really cold where you live, then you can apply a mulch of straw, leaves or any other organic material. The sprouts will start to push it up in the spring and you can pull it back then.

[enchant]

Excellent. Thanks for the good info!

[rockman]

We've had our fill by July. About mid Aug. I mow it off, and by mid Sept. we have tender 8" stalks. You can do the same by keeping the old pulled.