Forcing the rhubarb

I grew this rhubarb " Victoria " from seed last year and was delighted to see it peeping above the soil around December. Although it tolerates severe cold very well I buried it under a thick layer of homemade compost as a precautionary measure. It's now ready for forcing.



To force rhubarb simply exclude the light from a number of stalks. Purpose made forcing pots are available but to be honest any pot will do, even a large bucket will get it started. I used an old bin held in place with a large stone. The petiole ( thats the stalk to you and me ) should grow about an inch a week for the first eight weeks and increase significantly in vigour thereafter.



The crowns will need dividing every four to five years or when the stalks get small and spindly. Cutting out overcrowded crowns will encourage nice thick stems to grow. Flowering will steal the vigour of the plant so cut the flower and seed stalks as soon as they're noticed. Also one must not forget the leaves are always poisonous so remove from the stalk after harvesting. Rhubarb and custard ....... here we come ..!