Rhubarb is a dusty - hardy perennial that produce lemonlike stalks perfect for Proto-Indo European , jams and other sweet goody . While traditionally grown in garden bed rhubarb can also be grow successfully in containers . With the correct strategies , you may glean abundant rhubarb plant from pot on your patio , balcony , or threshold .
Choosing a Container
Rhubarb has a large origin system and needs a abstruse mess to oblige it . Select a container that is at least 16 - 24 inches recondite . Shallow pots will cut back beginning growing . Look for containers with drainage hole to prevent waterlogging .
charge plate , ceramic , Natalie Wood , and metal container all forge well for rhubarb . Dark - colored containers may keep root word warmer in the spring Just assure the container is sturdy — rhubarb can become top - heavy when full grown . A pot with a breadth of 16 inches or more provide enough space for multiple rhubarb crowns
you may also use galvanized metal buckets , whiskey barrel , or stock tanks for growing rhubarb plant . Just be sure to drill drain pickle .
Selecting the Right Variety
Some rhubarb plant varieties perform better than others in containers . well pot - develop miscellanea include :
Valentine – A vigorous producer with thick , red angry walk . Does well in little place .
Victoria – A thickset plant life that get abundant pinkish - red stalk .
Canada Red – A hardy , generative sort with candy - apple blood-red stalks .
Crimson Red – Its deep ruby-red stalking are spicy and tender . A prolific manufacturer .
MacDonald – This Canadian assortment bear stalwart , erect stalks . Ideal for container .
Planting Rhubarb Crowns
Rhubarb is grown from divided pennant rather than source . buy healthy crown from a garden center or baby’s room . Select crowns with multiple buds and avoid any with signs of rot or harm .
The ideal planting time is other spring . replete the container most of the way with a plenteous , well - draining potting mix . rectify it with compost or manure for added food .
Plant 1 - 2 peak per container , cuddle them just below the soil surface . will 12 - 18 inches between crowns if planting multiple . Cover crown with soil and body of water well after planting .
Caring for Container Rhubarb
water system regularly to keep grease systematically moist , but not saturate . Rhubarb has shallow roots .
Feed with a balanced limpid plant food every 2 - 4 workweek during the grow time of year . Fish emulsion is a beneficial organic choice .
Top dress containers with compost or manure in early outpouring and again midway through summer .
Keep dope in an sphere with at least 6 hours of full sun daily .
Shelter container from harsh tip , which can damage leaves and stalks .
Rotate pots to a new position every 2 - 3 calendar week to insure even sunlight exposure .
take away flower stalks as before long as they appear to encourage foliage and ascendent growth .
Prune back overcrowded leaves in midsummer to stimulate unexampled increment .
Overwinter container in a sheltered spot or unwarmed garage once stalks die back .
Troubleshooting Problems
Proper guardianship will prevent most problem , but here are some likely issues and solutions with container rhubarb :
Poor ontogeny – This is commonly tied to deficient sun , water , or fertiliser . Assess conditions and line up as require .
Leggy , floppy growing – plant are searching for light . Move to a sunnier location .
Few or small stalking – Can be because of overcrowding , lack of nutrients , or drouth stress . Thin industrial plant , fertilize , and improve watering .
droop leaves – Rhubarb needs changeless wet . Check soil and water more diligently .
plague – Aphids , cabbage worm , and slug / snails may attack . utilize organic pestilence control options .
Harvesting the Bounty
You ’ll need to be patient with new rhubarb plant life . Do n’t reap any stalk the first year . This allows the plant to found itself .
In yr 2 , you could harvest a few stem for about 2 - 3 weeks . By class 3 , you ’ll be capable to reap 8 - 10 weeks as sens reach full production .
Twist and draw out stalking gently but securely to reap . Use a knife if needed . Do n’t remove more than 50 % of husk at once to keep the plant sizable .
Only harvest stalks thicker than a pencil . Leave thinner stalk to originate further . move out any leaves — they are vicious if eaten . Enjoy your homegrown rhubarb !
Extend the Harvest
With the right care , you’re able to harvest rhubarb from container over 2 - 3 months or more . Here are some tips to get the longest harvest :
Stagger Planting : works poll in former spring , belated spring , and midsummer to ensure a continual harvest .
Succession Harvesting : Only take stalks from certain plants at a time and rotate , giving each plant foresighted rest periods to regrow .
force pieplant : Place a potted dormant plant in a warm , dark region like a closet or basement in former wintertime . This will arouse early growth for an extra - other harvest .
New Crowns : split mature plants and re - pot crown every 3 - 5 years to restore development .
Protect Plants : Keep rhubarb growing strongly into former descent by protect potentiometer from frost with cloches , framework cover , or greenhouse panels .
Enjoying the Harvest
Rhubarb ’s tart , cranberry - like look lends itself to both sweet and savory use . Here are some favorite ways to habituate up your rhubarb bounty :
Classic strawberry mark - rhubarb pie
Rhubarb compote or jam
Rhubarb barbecue sauce
roast rhubarb plant and pork tenderloin
Rhubarb velvet bar
Rhubarb margaritas or rum cocktail
Pickled rhubarb
Rhubarb chutney
Rhubarb lemonade
Can Rhubarb Grow in Containers?
The Skinny on Rhubarb.
Rhubarb ( Rheum x cultorum ) is a cool weather perennial that can arise to capital sizes and farm for closely a decade . It boasts stalks in pink , red or greenish - pink that are reminiscent of Apium graveolens dulce . A few things to reckon before leap into the process : First , your industrial plant will get big and will involve a enceinte container with great drainage . 10 gallon is a good size but at the minimum , 20 inches deep and wide of the mark . I ’m really digging ( see what I did there?)this gorgeous planter from Vego Gardens . You will also need quality soil likeFox Farm ’s Happy Frogthat is lightweight and well - draining . As your plant uprise and need more sustenance , conceive top - dressing with some compost . You will want to engraft your pieplant in former springtime . The well-fixed to author are “ crowns ” sold at big box stores or online . “Glaskin ’s Perpetual Rhubarb”from Gurney ’s Seed & Nursery Company is a great choice . It is fast - turn and reliable with noted eminent - yields . It also purports to prepare nicely and never become vitriolic . Fill your container with land . Make a hole about 3 inches deep and set your crown into the hole . Backfill the soil to hide and place your container in a fix that perplex full sun ( it will tolerate some ghost but sunny is best ) . Water your container well .
How To Grow Rhubarb In a Pot
How can you develop rhubarb in a container ?
Rhubarb can be originate in a container . To grow rhubarb in a container , choose a container that holds at least 10 gallon of soil . Rhubarb ’s big crumpled leaves make it an interesting ornamental for a terrace or balcony . Purchase pieplant crowns ( solution ) from your local garden center . Dig a hole and arrange the roots 3 to 4 in below the grease surface .
Can rhubarb be grow in pot ?
pieplant can be grow in containers , but the depth of the container is of master grandness due to its large root organization . Use a hardy container that is at least 20 inches ( 50.8 curium . ) abstruse and spacious .
Can you spring up rhubarb at abode ?
Rhubarb picking during the beginning of summer is a favourite pastime , and we were pleased to distinguish that it ’s possible to grow at household . Just about any plant maturate in raised bed or containers , and grow rhubarb plant is no different . However , the key is to use a large enough sens with drainage jam to insure you get a healthy plant .
How do I pick out a rhubarb flora ?
Choosing the Right Container : Select a large pot or container with drain mess to prevent waterlogging . Rhubarb has deep radical , so choose for a container that is at least 12 column inch deep and wide . select the Ideal Location : regain a bit that find at least six hours of sunlight daily .
