Growing Rhubarb in Tubs?
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Hi I'm considering growing three rhubarb plants grown from seed this season in tubs two feet diameter two feet depth. And I would like to know if any one has any advice on type of soil to use drainage, should extra nutrients be added and at what time of the year etc.etc The reason for tubs is that my soil in the garden where I grow veg is heavy and has no drainage.
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Cider Boys
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Hello Bob
I am surprised that you are considering growing rhubarb in a container. In my experience rhubarb grows well in most soils and I have moved crowns and roots from light sandy soils to heavy clay where they have grown better.
I would work in compost or FYM and if available some bonemeal and plant in the heavy soil about 2-3 feet apart in late autumn with the buds of the crowns just below the soil surface. Leave for a year or 2 before pulling and don't let it run to seed. I have always pilled leaves or compost on the crowns in late autumn and they have yielded well for 20 years in heavy clay. Ideally you should split them and move them after about 15 years. However this is only my experience perhaps other contributors think differently.
Best of luck.
Barney
I am surprised that you are considering growing rhubarb in a container. In my experience rhubarb grows well in most soils and I have moved crowns and roots from light sandy soils to heavy clay where they have grown better.
I would work in compost or FYM and if available some bonemeal and plant in the heavy soil about 2-3 feet apart in late autumn with the buds of the crowns just below the soil surface. Leave for a year or 2 before pulling and don't let it run to seed. I have always pilled leaves or compost on the crowns in late autumn and they have yielded well for 20 years in heavy clay. Ideally you should split them and move them after about 15 years. However this is only my experience perhaps other contributors think differently.
Best of luck.
Barney
Bob,
I'll second Cider Boys on the heavy soil bit, the heavier the better. One of my clumps used to get the run off water from a 8ftx10ft shed and performed wonderfully. The patch was only small (I used to force some in the spring by putting a compost bin over it) and got over 30lbs off last year before it was dug up.
I'll second Cider Boys on the heavy soil bit, the heavier the better. One of my clumps used to get the run off water from a 8ftx10ft shed and performed wonderfully. The patch was only small (I used to force some in the spring by putting a compost bin over it) and got over 30lbs off last year before it was dug up.
I don't suffer from insanity .... I enjoy it!
Vivianne
Vivianne
I agree with the earlier advice. I do not see the benefit of tubs once the rhubarb plants reach a reasonable size, and can be planted out.
I grow on heavy clay soil, and my rhubarb has been in place for 10 years, and crops very well. The crowns are getting a bit crowded, so Cider Boys advice about splitting is timely.
When I planted the crowns I improved the soil with organic matter and course grit, and I top dress with manure in the autumn. I also did not pull any stalks in the first year, to encourage the roots to develop.
I grow on heavy clay soil, and my rhubarb has been in place for 10 years, and crops very well. The crowns are getting a bit crowded, so Cider Boys advice about splitting is timely.
When I planted the crowns I improved the soil with organic matter and course grit, and I top dress with manure in the autumn. I also did not pull any stalks in the first year, to encourage the roots to develop.
I'd agree with everyone else that you can grow rhubarb in really heavy soil, but....if you do want to try tubs, I grew part of a crown I split this year in a container 2 feet deep by 1 foot across. I used a 50/50 mix of garden compost and multi-purpose, with a handfull of pelleted chicken manure for luck.
The pot grown crown produced a crop of very early fine tender stems and has now filled the pot and looks happy enough, but it is a dwarf compared to those planted back out into my heavy clay allotment.
I think it needs to go back into open soil this winter, but I might dig up another chunk to try in a pot next year as the crop we got was so nice.
Sue
The pot grown crown produced a crop of very early fine tender stems and has now filled the pot and looks happy enough, but it is a dwarf compared to those planted back out into my heavy clay allotment.
I think it needs to go back into open soil this winter, but I might dig up another chunk to try in a pot next year as the crop we got was so nice.
Sue