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moving rhubarb

REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
edited April 2021 in Fruit & veg
I know it's the wrong time of year, really, to move rhubarb, but I have some in a raised bed which I will have to move in the next week because the raised bed has to make way for a greenhouse. I think there are four plants in there they will not be going in and using up either of the new raised beds!) two of which I could start picking now.  I will keep two plants and give the others away.
My questions are:
1) would be ok/better/worse to pick what rhubarb there is to eat now, or leave it on the plant before transplanting;
2) will I have to wait a year or two after moving it before cropping again, as I did after planting it up in the first place.
I suppose there is a 3) too which is, has anyone tried growing it in a very large pot? After all, a 33cm deep raised bed is a sort of large pot?!

I can of course buy more rhubarb and start again... This lot must be about 6 years old and some of it did need dividing, I assume, anyway. (The stalks were on the thin side on some plants.)

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited April 2021
    Pick most of it before moving to reduce the amount of water which will be lost through the leaves before new roots have had a chance to form.  For the same reason, move as much of the root ball in one big lump, complete with as much soil attached as you can manage.  Doing those two things will increase the chances of them transplanting successfully and getting back to a productive plant relatively quickly.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    Thank you very much.
  • Captain_ChaosCaptain_Chaos Posts: 60
    Thanks for this post (and response). I too have just moved some rhubarb (due to moving house) and planted in a large tub. Mine is about 4 years old and I just didn't want to leave it and start again. I figure if it doesn't survive the relocation, I've not lost anything as the alternate was leaving at the old house :)
    Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.
  • GlenjjonesGlenjjones Posts: 146
    I grow Rhubarb in large tubs and it grows great. as long a its kept well fed and watered it will grow pretty much anywhere.
    if you divide it when you move it and replant it you will need to be sparing on the harvest for the first year, but as long as you leave a few large leaves on the plant at the back end of the season to put some energy back in the crown you'll have rhubarb coming out of your ears in a year or too. :smile:
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    That's great. Thanks. I have already put one in a very large pot. Was going to put the other one I am keeping in the garden but not sure where. They all need to come up today or tomorrow...
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