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Old April 1, 2016   #1
enchant
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Default My first rhubarb crowns

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.
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Old April 2, 2016   #2
Tormato
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Originally Posted by enchant View Post
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.
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Old April 2, 2016   #3
twillis2252
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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!
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Old April 2, 2016   #4
Tormato
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I've heard it's best not to cut (cuttings?). I twist/snap them off below the soil line.
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Old April 2, 2016   #5
rockman
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Our Rhubarb is up 5'' . Yes we always pull to pick also.
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Old April 2, 2016   #6
twillis2252
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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...
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Old April 3, 2016   #7
Andrey_BY
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My rhuburb today
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (717.8 KB, 97 views)
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1 kg=2.2 lb , 1 m=39,37 in , 1 oz=28.35 g , 1 ft=30.48 cm , 1 lb= 0,4536 kg , 1 in=2.54 cm , 1 l = 0.26 gallon , 0 C=32 F

Andrey a.k.a. TOMATODOR
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Old September 29, 2016   #8
enchant
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Originally Posted by twillis2252 View Post
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?
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Old September 29, 2016   #9
brownrexx
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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.
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Old September 29, 2016   #10
enchant
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Excellent. Thanks for the good info!
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Old September 30, 2016   #11
rockman
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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.
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