Moving blackcurrant and rhubarb

[wygela]

I am moving in about a month ( first/second week in April )
I want to take a blackcurrant bush and a rhubarb crown with me. Would it be best to dig them up now and leave them in a pot until the move - or leave them til the day before the move and[b] then [/b]transfer them to their new home?

thanks for any advice,
wygela

[Cider Boys]

Hello Wygela

I'm only answering this because no one else has and perhaps it may inspire an expert for their views.

Alas if no expert comes forth I would wait until the day before the move as long as you get plenty of soil with the plants when you dig them up.
I appreciate now is a good time to take rhubarb crowns from a plant but I'm sure waiting a month will be ok.

Best of luck

Barney

[Primrose]

I'd certainly be tempted to dig them up no more than a few days before you move, and ensure that you've got some really sturdy polythene wrapping in which to enclose as much soil as possible from around the roots. If you dig them up too early there's a danger that the roots could get frosted if we have more really cold weather or that the root ball could dry out and damage the plants.

Obviously you'll be trying to replant them as soon as you can once you get into your new house. If we have a spurt of good weather you may find that the plants suddenly burst into new growth and obviously any change in their environment could set them back a little, but as long as you ensure they're well watered in in their new surroundings, hopefully too much damage won't be done.

[John]

I'd suggest you have a long hard look at what you've got in the garden. Is it worth trying to move them? You might be better off starting with new disease-free plants of modern varieties from a good supplier.

If you move the rhubarb it would be easier to dig out from the established clump a section of root with several eyes (buds) on it and replant this in your next garden. This will establish itself as a vigorous rejuvenated clump over the next few years. Don't pull any stalks this year and only a few early ones in the following year so that a good strong plant eventually develops.
If you want rhubarb this year cut some more sections of root, plant them up in your new place and use the stalks. The plant will soon become exhausted and should then be discarded.
If you decide to buy new plants, 'Stockbridge Arrow' is a excellent strong growing variety - forces well with tender pink stalks.

Moving a mature blackcurrant bush is more problematic. I'm not sure that it would ever re-establish and become fully productive again. Younger 2-3 year bushes though would be much more likely to do well.

John

[Shallot Man]

Computers been down, so I am just catching up with the mail. Re rhubarb, seem to recall as a very young lad, my late Father would every so many years, dig up same, chop of the outer bits, throw on the compost heap the centre, the outer roots would be left on the ground for the frost to get at, then would be planted into a new site with masses of manure. He reckoned the frost done the rhubarb a world of good.

[madasafish]

I would pot them up now.
1. they are dormant now
2. You have more time to do it properly now: the day before a move is stress and rush
3. If they do grow in the pots, instant planting will do no harm. Digging them up in leaf = bad news.

[wygela]

Thanks to all for your advice, can't wait to take possession of my new garden