what is the best rhubarb variety

by Domenica Hickle Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is the best variety of rhubarb?

Rhubarb ‘Timperley Early’ – ideal for forcing, this will produce tender pink stems in February. ...
Rhubarb ‘Stockbridge Arrow’ – long, thick stems with a good colour and sweet flavour. ...
Rhubarb ‘Cawood Delight’ – a relatively new variety, producing dark pinky-red stems with a good shine and flavour. ...

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What are the types of rhubarb?

Varieties of Rhubarb

Cherry Red. The Cherry Red rhubarb cultivar or Early Cherry is known for its bright red stalks. ...
Chipman’s Canada Red. The Canadian Red cultivar is another blooded cultivar with large leaf stalks. ...
Crimson Cherry. ...
Heirloom Types of Rhubarb: Glaskin Perpetual. ...
Holstein Bloodred. ...
Riverside Giant. ...
Sunrise Rhubarb. ...
Timperley Early. ...
Victoria. ...

What are the best growing conditions for rhubarb?

Rhubarb

Sow. Rhubarb is rarely grown from seed the plants are slower growing than those grown from crowns, and the resulting plants will be more variable than crowns, which are clones ...
Grow. Water during prolonged dry periods in summer. ...
Plant. ...
Harvesting. ...

Is green rhubarb sweeter than red rhubarb?

The “red rhubarb” is the color of the stem. Red rhubarbs are usually sweeter than green ones. Consumers want a deep crimson stalk, but it frequently has low growth and production. Green variants are often more fruitful. Many people believe that red stemmed rhubarb is sweeter than other hues, however color and sweetness are not always linked.

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Which variety of rhubarb is the best?

13 of the Best Rhubarb CultivarsCherry Red. With its bright red stalks, the hybrid variety 'Cherry Red' (R. ... Chipman's Canada Red. Also known as Canadian Red, 'Chipman's Canada Red' is another ruby-colored cultivar. ... Crimson Red. ... German Wine. ... Glaskin's Perpetual. ... Hardy Tarty. ... Holstein's Bloodred. ... KangaRhu.More items...•

Which is better red or green rhubarb?

Contrary to popular belief, whether it's red, pink, green or something in-between, rhubarb's color has nothing to do with ripeness. Rather, its hue is completely determined by genes; different varieties produce different colors, and green rhubarbs are just as sweet as red ones.

What should not be planted near rhubarb?

Sunflowers- Avoid planting Rhubarb alongside sunflowers and thistles which are all susceptible to curculios, a boring weevil. Rhubarb in particular falls prey to Rhubarb Curculios which can do a lot of damage leaving notches in the stalks and leaves.

What month do you plant rhubarb?

When to plant rhubarb. Rhubarb crowns and budded pieces are best planted in autumn or spring, while the soil is warm and moist. If you've grown your rhubarb in a pot, this can be planted out at any time of the year as long as the soil is not frozen, waterlogged or suffering from drought.

How do you make rhubarb redder?

One site visitor has suggested that placing wood ashes around the base of the rhubarb plants is the solution for turning the rhubarb plants more red. The theory is that, since rhubarb leaves are so large, they often become heavy, touching the soil, and making the soil more acidic.

When should you not eat rhubarb?

“Once temperatures fall to a range of the lower to middle 20s, oxalic acid in the leaves will (move) to the rhubarb stalks that we harvest,” Johnson said. “When consumed, oxalic acid can crystallize in the kidneys and cause permanent damage to the organs.”

Is it better to cut or pull rhubarb?

Depending on the variety, they may be only 12 inches long, or as long as two feet. To pick rhubarb, hold the stalk firmly, pull and twist. Do not use a knife to cut the stalks from the plant. The knife can carry diseases from plant to plant, and the remaining stalk can be a point of entry for other pests.

How do you grow thick rhubarb stalks?

Rhubarb is a heavy feeder and needs to be planted in soil high in organic matter if you want to have large, thick rhubarb stalks. It helps the plant to cultivate around it, and to keep it mulched, weed-free, and well watered. The plant also likes a neutral pH soil.

Can I eat rhubarb in the first year?

Harvesting. With newly planted rhubarb, resist the temptation to harvest any stems in the first year, as this will reduce the plant's vigour. The following year, pick just a few stems. After that, the plant should be well established and can be harvested normally.

What fertilizer is best for rhubarb?

Rhubarb requires annual fertilizer applications for good growth and large yields. Apply fertilizer in early spring before growth starts. Broadcast 1⁄2 cup of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant and work it lightly into the soil.

How do you make rhubarb grow better?

Rhubarb grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Choose a site with soil that is well-draining and fertile. Good drainage is essential, as rhubarb will rot if kept too wet. Mix compost, rotted manure, or anything high in organic matter into the soil.

Is chicken manure good for rhubarb?

It's 'the one thing you'll want to continue to do with your plants' – they need a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in spring (all-purpose or chicken manure) and phosphorus-rich fertilizer like blood meal in fall. The phosphorus 'helps establish the root base so it [the rhubarb] can get through the winter'.

Why is my rhubarb green instead of red?

If your mature rhubarb plant has numerous leaves, they could be preventing the sun from reaching the stems and colouring them. If this is the case, reduce the number of large leaves on your plant. However, the main reason for the stalk remaining green is likely due to the variety of rhubarb you are growing.

Is green rhubarb more sour than red?

Believe it or not, there's no significant flavor difference between red and green rhubarb.

Should I only use red part of rhubarb?

Rhubarb can have green or pink to red stalks—similar to celery stalks—and large green leaves. The only part of the plant that is edible is the stalk; the leaves are unsafe to eat and must be removed and discarded.

Is it OK to eat green rhubarb?

Most commonly, green rhubarb stalks on a rhubarb plant are the unripe stalks and will not be as sweet as ripe red stalks. While safe to eat, you may need to adjust the sugar in the recipe to accommodate the tart flavor of green stalks. The color of the pie will also have a paler green appearance.

The 14 Best Rhubarb Varieties To Plant This Season

Rhubarb is an excellent plant for all gardeners, new and experienced because it’s a perennial plant. That means rhubarb will come up year after year, giving you multiple harvests with minimal work for you.

1. Holstein Bloodred Red Rhubarb

If you do want that classic red rhubarb, then Holstein Bloodred offers gardeners a vigorously growing plant. It produces juicy, deep-red stalks. Holstein is a champion grower, and it can produce 5-10 pounds of stalks from one single plant!

3. Glaskins Perpetual

Glaskins Perpetual is a rhubarb variety that started in Brighton in the U.K. around 1920. It produces long, bright red stems that have a strong flavor with plenty of juice.

4. Colorado Red

The one thing that makes rhubarb stand out in the garden is its color. The redness draws people’s eyes, but most aren’t red inside and outside.

5. Cherry Red

Here is another red rhubarb variety. Cherry Red Rhubarb grows tender, sweet stalks that are long and thick.

6. Victoria

Victoria, often called Large Victoria Rhubarb, is a unique variety that produces mid-size stalks that start as dark raspberry red at the base of the plant.

8. Crimson Red

For those living in the Pacific Northwest, Crimson Red is an excellent choice because it loves damp, cool temperatures.

Victoria Rhubarb

An heirloom variety of green rhubarb. Prior to WWII this was the most common type of rhubarb in the US. Green on the inside, grading from red to green on the outside from the stalk to the leaf. The stalks are smooth on the outside and the skin is thin.

Colorado Red Rhubarb

A rare, pure red variety proprietary to High Altitude Rhubarb. First plant found growing apparently wild in our forest when we bought the house in 1991. Stalks are the length of typical celery stalks, about 12 inches, and about 3/4 inch in diameter. Most are deep red outside and inside. This variety peaks 2-3 weeks later than the Victoria plants.

Turkish Rhubarb

A late-harvest, green variety. Green on the inside and out with a small area of red at the base. This is a mild form of rhubarb with a slight citrus undertone. Dishes cooked with Turkish require less sweetener than most other varieties.

Canada Red Rhubarb

Canada Red rhubarb is large for a red variety. Stalks can be up to 20″ in length. Plants are typically 2′ tall or less and spread to 3′-4′ in diameter. Although hardy it is a red variety and such varieties are typically smaller, less robust and more prone to diseases and problems than green varieties.

Ornamental Rhubarb

An attractive, mid-sized green variety that is better suited to the role of a flowering plant than a food source. This variety grows to about two feet high, produces a large number of flower stalks and exhibits unusually attractive leaves. The leaves are 6-10 inches long and have crinkled edges. Ornamental rhubarb bolts (i.e.

Rhubarb Crisp

I found this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years ago. It's quick and easier to make than pie. It's versatile, too, because you can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before we sit down to eat so it's still warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire