Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Dividing Rhubarb Plants

I've grown rhubarb in a medium sized container since 2010.


It started from bare-root stock and has provided me with enough stalks each year to make several pies and crisps.

I knew my plant was becoming pot bound due to visible splits in the plastic container, and the reduced production in larger stalks.

I researched online and watched YouTube videos about how to divide and replant rhubarb.

The root mass removed from the pot.
I waited for fall when the plant became dormant.

It was so pot bound it took me a long time and lots of digging to loosen it from the container.

You can see what a tight mass the roots had formed.

Using a serrated knife to cut the roots.
There was no evident division point in the plant, so I decided to cut it right down the middle.

Large roots sliced through.
The slice exposed very large roots cut right through the middle.

I worried that the "wounded" roots might die or become diseased, but that didn't happen.

I used a larger pot and placed both sections in with plenty of spreading room in between.
The two halves get a larger pot.
I made sure the plant crowns were even with the top level of the soil.

I used fresh potting mix to fill in the empty spaces between and around the the roots.

To protect my plants from the coming winter's freezing temperatures, I covered the top of the pot with crumpled newspaper, cardboard and an inch of soil.

Removing the winter covering.
Here's a post of a similar process I used with my dahlia tubers.

When spring arrived, I removed the covering to expose the budding shoots.

I'm happy to report that both sides have not only survived, but are thriving.



I can hardly wait for my first crop to make a strawberry, apple, and rhubarb crisp. -- Margy

8 comments:

  1. This seems to be a great way to grow it even for those who are land based so it doesn't grow out of control like it does sometimes - I have a bunch of pots this year left from my potato growing exersize last year - maybe rhubarb!

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    1. It's easy to grow for sure and has done well even in a smaller pot for years. The stalks don't get as many or large, but enough to enjoy in a few dishes. - Margy

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  2. You not only have a green thumb, but everything else crafty and creative! I love your spot.

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  3. We are busy eating rhubarb at the moment, and I am giving it away to everyone who shows the remotest interest! I should think about splitting my crowns, but it is such a daunting task, I keep putting it off xxx

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    1. With just one container I probably won't get that much, but a little bit more would be nice. I cut extra stalks in chunks to freeze. I just finished up the last of the 2016 crop in a tasty mixed fruit crisp. - Margy

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  4. Great dividing job. You'll have twice as much rhubarb to enjoy this year. Mine is growing really well, the leaves are opening up and it is getting bigger each day.

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    1. The new pot is about twice as large as the old one. Next time I should divide it into two pots and get even more. - Margy

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy