Rhubarb

ice · May 2016

I was gifted a large bit of rhubarb last night from a friend via my other half.

Slightly worried what weeds it may be carrying - it came with free millipede and slugs!

What do I do (currently quarantined in a pot). Where best to site? Can I split it if so when - my dad is desperate for some though hundreds of miles away.

Ceres · May 2016

Why are you worried about weeds? Does it come from a ground elder and horsetail jungle? If it is just the normal type of weed that you are concerned about, the rhubarb leaves usually grow big enough to cut out the light to anything else, thereby smothering any weed that might have the audacity to consider growing in the same space.

I wouldn't split the plant this year unless the root is huge and with enough growth points to give it a chance of withstanding the trauma. Give it time to get its roots down and develop into something a bit more robust, and don't pull any of the stalks this year as the plant will need a season to establish itself.

Dovefromabove · May 2016

Good advice from Ceres. Unless the roots of the rhubarb are infested with ground elder, bindweed or horsetail I'd accept it happily. If those weeds are present I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole and I'd go and buy a good plant from a garden centre.

Plant it with lots of well rotted manure and leave it alone for at least 12 months.

Dovefromabove · May 2016

What's that you've got growing in the pot behind it

ice · May 2016

Dovefromabove says:
What's that you've got growing in the pot behind it
See original post

Jerusalem artichokes! These are big pots!

No idea on what weeds she might have. Sadly I've both in my garden coming over from neighbours

Dovefromabove · May 2016

Ah! Love jerusalem artichoke soup

If you've already got those weeds in your garden or nearby, I really wouldn't worry about the rhubarb bringing any weeds in with it. It looks fine to me.

Rhubarb

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