Plant and maintain rhubarb
- Plant and nurture the rhubarb plant
- Rhubarb varieties and taste peculiarities
- Location and claims of rhubarb
- Plant rhubarb
- To cultivate rhubarb properly throughout the year
- Harvest and process rhubarb
Plant and nurture the rhubarb plant
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) comes from the plant family of Knöterichgewächse and forms long petioles, the colored differently red depending on the variety are. Decisive here is the fluctuating content of anthocyanins, ie water-soluble plant dyes.The leaves of the perennial are strikingly large, however, are harmful to health due to the oxalic acid contained in them and therefore may not be consumed.
Already in the 16th century rhubarb was grown in the Himalayas and in Russia. However, it took almost 300 years Rhabarber eventually found his way to Germany in 1848.
If you also want to plant rhubarb in the garden, see the following article useful tips for targeted care and correct harvest the vegetable tree.
Rhubarb varieties and taste peculiarities
Rhubarb is a stalk vegetable that due to its numerous healthy ingredients and its easy cultivation is cultivated in the vegetable garden. While Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) comes into its own as a leaf ornamental shrub in the garden, common rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is regarded as a distinct crop and is often further processed into desserts and jams in summer.
Hobby gardeners can choose between two basic species that differ in appearance and taste when planting rhizome. The flowers of the plant are sacrificed in favor of a higher crop yield, so that the plant strong, aromatic stems can develop.
Red rhubarb
Rhubarb varieties with red stems contain less oxalic acid and are therefore much milder in flavor. The perennial plants form a beautiful eye-catcher in the bed due to strong color contrasts and are very frugal, as long as the substrate is nutrient-rich and deeply loosened.
A popular strain is Emsjuwel, It produces dark red stalks that especially fruity and bittersweet are.
Likewise cultivated in the garden is the variety Frambozen Rood, It smells pleasant and therefore carries the epithet raspberry rhubarb. The red stems have green pulp and are nice juicy.
Green rhubarb
Rhubarb varieties with green peel and green pulp form many flower stalks and thus promise a particularly high yield. In taste, the vegetables are rather sour-tart, which is due to the relatively high content of oxalic acid.
A popular green species is for example Goliath, This rhubarb species grows up to 90 centimeters high and is therefore one of the largest crops in the bed. The food rhubarb Rosara makes firm, green pulp with a pink peel.
tip: Sensitive people should rather grab red varieties, These are much easier to digest.
Location and claims of rhubarb
rhubarb requires a lot of sunlight for healthy plant growth. Already moderate partial shade can lead to thin, less aromatic stems. When planting your rhubarb, choose a sunny spot with warm, nutrient-rich soil.
The perennial is a deep root and requires a deep and deeply loosened clay soil. The addition of compost or manure optimizes the soil quality. In addition, the soil should not tend to waterlogging: Heavy, highly compacted substrate can be loosened up with fine sand or pebbles before planting.
Rhubarb plants are among the heavyweights and must be implemented after no more than eight years, so that the floor can recover. In these eight years of existence, however, the plant should be able to thrive in peace and grow and not be transplanted - this should already be considered in the site selection.
tip: Rhubarb thrives especially good in mixed culture. Suitable planting partners in the vegetable patch are beans, lettuce and kohlrabi.
Plant rhubarb
If you have found the right location in your vegetable patch, You need to decide whether you want to use a rhubarb stick or a piece of a healthy mother plant. Prerequisite for both methods is that the plant carries at least one bud. Rhubarb stalks can be harvested in the following year, planted pieces only after two years.
Rhubarb plants can both in autumn and in spring be put into the open air. Now the soil is sufficiently moist and warm. Before planting the soil is loosened deep and processed at a depth of about 60 centimeters with organic fertilizer. This promotes healthy root depth growth and thus increases the stability of the high-growth vegetable plant.
The bud of the rhubarb plant should be visible after pressing the Subtrats still about 3 centimeters above the earth's surface. Since rhubarb becomes very spreading, the next plant can then be set at a distance of 75 centimeters.
tip: Rhubarb can also be in a bucket with a capacity of at least 40 liters.
To cultivate rhubarb properly throughout the year
The rhubarb is considered a frugal and easy-care vegetable plant, Nevertheless, with targeted care measures crop yields can be increased in summer.
In early spring, an additional layer of mulch protects subterranean plant parts from heavy night frosts. In addition, all flowers should now be removed, so that the entire energy of the plant can flow into the formation of new shoots.
Must over the summer watering during sustained periods of drought. In addition, regularly add new compost to the soil to provide the high-consuming shrubs with sufficient nutrients. After harvesting the leached soil is fertilized, such as with vegetable manure or horn meal.
In autumn, last leaves can be cut back, to optimally prepare the plant for the coming winter. Now the plant can also be shared if it has been around for several years. This action rejuvenates the plant and gives it new vitality. Over the winter, the cuts germinate indoors and form new buds. In the spring they are then put back in the garden.
Harvest and process rhubarb
Mature rhubarb is recognized by its firm, smooth stems that are no longer wavy. The rhubarb harvest begins in April and extends into late June into it. After this phase, the oxal content in the plant stems increases and the plant becomes bitter in taste, gradually even unhealthy.
Rhubarb contains oxalic acid in high quantities and is therefore not eaten raw, but always processed. Whether the peel is removed or not depends on the variety and personal taste. The largest proportion of oxalic acid is in the rhubarb leaves. The leaves are indigestible and are even considered poisonous. It comes with raw consumption to symptoms of intoxication such as circulation problems and vomiting.
Rhubarb stalks are not cut off, but instead turned off the plant. Flower buds can then be easily removed and processed in a fresh salad.
Danger: Who under Gout, kidney or bladder stones should avoid consumption of rhubarb.
Recipe: strawberry-rhubarb compote
The sour rhubarb blends perfectly with sweet strawberries. 4 portions of strawberry-rhubarb compote can be prepared in about 30 minutes, the rest time is an additional 3 hours. This recipe is also suitable for inexperienced hobby cooks who want to process their home-grown garden rhubarb. The warm raspberry compote optimally suits vanilla ice cream.
ingredients:
- 1 kg fresh rhubarb
- 400g fresh strawberries
- 10-20 tbsp of sugar (depending on the type of rhababa)
- lemon juice
- Cinnamon (as required)
preparation:
The fresh rhababer Wash, peel and cut into small pieces. Add the rhubarb pieces with a dash of lemon juice and the sugar into a large enough pot (froth on boiling), mix well and let stand for about 2 hours, so that the rhubarb is good juice pulls.
The mixture bring to a boil and cook for five minutes. Add some cinnamon to taste.
In the meantime, wash the strawberries and cut into bite-sized pieces. After the Rhababer has boiled well for five minutes, it has decayed well. Remove the pan from the heat and add the small strawberries. Now the fruit mass should not boil any more. Let the compote draw for an hour again and taste the mass again before serving. If desired, the fruity Rhababer strawberry compote can be heated before consumption.
tip: The The amount of sugar varies depending on the selected rhubarb variety - green stems are more acidic and need to be sweetened more.
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FAQ - 💬
❓ Does rhubarb need to be cut back?
👉 Pruning rhubarb is not necessary, but after harvest you may remove the leaves. NOTE: This is part 8 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow rhubarb plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
❓ How do you cut rhubarb so it keeps growing?
👉 When stalks are sliced with a knife, the part left behind withers away… and that's it. In contrast, twisting and pulling off the stalk allows it to separate from the bottom of the plant near the roots. This tells the plant to regrow a new stalk, giving you a more fruitful harvest and a healthier rhubarb plant.
❓ Does rhubarb keep producing?
👉 Rhubarb produces a harvest for up to 8 years, so grow it in a sunny area where it will go undisturbed for a long time. Give rhubarb room to spread out by planting them 4 to 6 feet apart. Improve your native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
❓ Where is the best place to plant a rhubarb plant?
👉 Grow rhubarb in full sun, in rich, lightly moist soil. In hot regions (USDA hardiness zone 6 and higher), plant rhubarb where it will get some protection from hot afternoon sun. Rhubarb will not thrive in a soggy location, where it will be susceptible to root rot, one of the few problems rhubarb can encounter.
❓ How do you winterize rhubarb plants?
👉 In the fall, remove all plant debris. Once your ground freezes, it's best to cover rhubarb with 2 to 4 inches of an organic mulch, preferably well-rotted compost.
❓ Should I stop rhubarb flowering?
👉 So, if your rhubarb should happen to bolt, remove the flowering stalks just as soon as they are visible, to which the plant will likely respond by sending up another. If you keep at it, soon the plant will return to the desired priority for foliage production.
❓ Should you let rhubarb flower?
👉 So, if your rhubarb should happen to bolt, remove the flowering stalks just as soon as they are visible, to which the plant will likely respond by sending up another. If you keep at it, soon the plant will return to the desired priority for foliage production.
❓ Should you cut or pull rhubarb stalks?
👉 While many gardeners harvest rhubarb by cutting the petioles with a sharp knife or pruning shears, it's much easier and better to harvest with a twist. Harvesting with a knife leaves stubs of rhubarb stalks behind. These stubs rot, and that rot can spread to the plant crowns, especially during wet springs.
❓ What should not be planted near rhubarb?
👉 Cauliflower, beans, kale, broccoli, and garlic are good companion plants for rhubarb. Meanwhile, melon, black walnut, cucumber, pumpkin, and dock do not go well with rhubarb in a garden or food forest.
❓ What is the best fertilizer for rhubarb?
👉 For the highest yields of rhubarb stems, fertilize your plants three times per year. Apply 2 to 3 inches of composted manure, compost or ½ cup of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant in early spring (now).
❓ Should I cover my rhubarb in winter?
👉 Protecting rhubarb in winter with a layer of mulch preserves the crown from excessive cold, while allowing the necessary chill to force new spring growth.
❓ How do you keep rhubarb from dying?
👉 As long as the soil is well drained, the crowns will survive even hard freezes with a layer of mulch. Rhubarb plants require a cold period to grow. This means that you can fool a plant into producing stems even out of season.
❓ What are the needs of rhubarb?
👉 1 Site Needs. Rhubarb grows best in locations that receive at least six hours of daily sunlight. ... 2 Water. Regular irrigation encourages healthy foliage development. ... 3 Fertilizer. Like most perennial plants, rhubarb grows best with annual fertilization to replenish the nutrients in the soil. 4 Division. ... 5 Problems. ...
❓ How do you grow rhubarb?
👉 One of the great things about rhubarb is that it’s low-maintenance plant, and will return every spring without any help at all. Give your new or divided rhubarb plants a year to get established. Be sure the soil around the plants stays moist, but not soggy. After the first year, your rhubarb will be strong enough that you can harvest the stems.
❓ Is rhubarb a perennial plant?
👉 Rhubarb is an attractive hardy perennial with large leaves and pink, red or greenish leaf stalks that are used as a dessert, often in pies and crumbles. Stems are usually picked in spring, but plants can be covered with pots to produce an early crop of blanched stalks in late winter.