In this article, I’ll show you the five best Rhubarb you can grow in pots.
Have you tasted the tender, green, edible stalks of rhubarb? You may also use rhubarb for preparing pies and homemade jam.
The rich flavor can please your taste buds. Some rhubarb lovers think that they need a garden to cultivate the plant. However, you can grow rhubarb in pots.
Interestingly, these plants keep on growing their stalks for 10 years. With the proper care, you can find a good yield from planting rhubarbs in containers.
Rhubarbs are very easy to grow
They can be categorized as vegetables and not fruits. The perennial plants last for several years. Although they grow well in soil, you may decide on planting them in your pots.
Rhubarbs are of different varieties, and it is important to choose ones, which grow best in pots.
Here are the 5 Varieties of Rhubarbs to grow in Pots:
1). German Wine Rhubarbs
German Wine is one of the hybrid varieties best for making wine. Rhubarb wine connoisseurs say that they are similar to rose wine. The height of the plant is about 2 feet, and at maturity, their width can be 2 to 3 feet. Cultivators have claimed that they are perfect for container growing.
The German Wine rhubarb provides you with pinky-green stalks. You can harvest them during the late spring and early summer seasons. German Wine is the sweetest one of the other varieties of rhubarb.
How will you grow and care for rhubarbs? You can choose almost any type of soil for growing German Wine rhubarbs. There must be no weeds in your pot. In case of planting them in your garden, the space between them needs to be 24 to 48 inches. The rows have to be 3 to 4 feet apart.
In the first year, You must not harvest the stalks. Remove the flower stalks. Then, plant the roots and crowns at least 2 inches below the soil surface. Add organic matter to the hole. The plant is now ready for harvesting while the stalks look bright red.
You may not find rhubarbs as the potted transplants. However, you have to plant the bare root crown.
2). Crimson Red Rhubarbs
Crimson Red is another type of rhubarb that you can cultivate in your pot. Make sure that the surrounding temperature is low to grow this plant. Crimson Red is easily identifiable due to its vibrant red stalks.
The sweet-tart rhubarb also need sunshine. Within a single year, you will get fresh Crimson Red in your pot. The height of the plant is about 3 to 4 feet, while the width is 3 feet. Buy a pack of seeds and start harvesting the stalks.
3). Sunrise Rhubarbs
Sunrise is one of the popular easy-to-grow rhubarbs. Rich soil, cooler weather, and sun rays are essential for the growth of the plant. The plant also tolerates droughts for a short period. Moreover, it needs organic matter to prepare the soil. You may also choose the Sunrise rhubarb indoors. But, proper drainage is essential for the plant.
The size of the transplants is about 4 inches, while the roots are around 2 to 4 inches below the soil. You need to water the young rhubarb regularly. However, mature plants do not need a high amount of water. Use mulch to prevent weeds.
4). Victoria Rhubarbs
Several gardeners grow rhubarbs for their delicious leaf stalks. Rhubarbs fall into two categories- red and green stalks. Victoria is one of the green stalked rhubarbs. You can easily identify Victoria due to its fat stems, tart flavor, and bright skin.
How will you care for Victoria rhubarbs? The soil for growing Victoria rhubarbs needs fertilizer, compost, and manure.
They are heavy-feeding plants. The best fact is that Victoria is a perennial plant. Choose the best place where the plants will not be disturbed during the winter and summer seasons.
Look for a sunny spot and fill your pot with fertile soil. The well-drained soil must be free from weeds.
The average summer temperature should be about 75 F. Plant the Victoria rhubarb roots while you find leaves becoming bud. To ensure better yields, you have to water the young Victoria rhubarbs regularly.
Fertilization is needed at least twice every year. In the third year, you will find large rhubarb stalks. Start harvesting these stalks throughout the summer season.
But you must not consume the leaves of this rhubarb, as they have a poisonous acid.
5). Riverside Giant Rhubarbs
Some growers think that rhubarbs are available only in red shades. However, Riverside Giant rhubarbs have thick, green stems. You can freeze them to prepare jam and pie. The perennial plant starts losing its leaves during the autumn season.
However, in the spring season, it regains its leaves.
How will you grow Riverside Giant and care for it? The temperature condition best for Riverside Giant is about -40 F. Riverside Giant rhubarbs thrive best in low-temperature regions. However, these green rhubarbs are the hardiest ones available for you.
Like other species of rhubarbs, these plants have some risks due to pests. Pests mostly infest the foliage. They may not affect the petiole and stem that we consume.
Make sure that the soil is not much moist, as moisture causes diseases to plants. Riverside Giant can survive for 20 years. After 3 years of planting Riverside Giant, you may harvest the plant.
Choose a site, which is partially shaded. Rich soil with proper drainage is good for the growth of the plant. Fertilizer is essential for better results from your cultivation. It is good to apply aged manure before planting Riverside Giant.
Growers in the warmer climatic region must think of mulching around the plant’s base. It will keep the soil moist and cool. Although the soil should be moist, it must not be sodden. The pots for rhubarbs should not be overcrowded. You may also divide them into the autumn and spring seasons.
Other tips for growing rhubarbs in your pots
Know the harvesting season
April to June is the best time for harvesting rhubarbs. At this time, leaves will be clearly visible, while the size of stems can be about 30 cm.
The plants will regain their energy for the subsequent year. The harvesting will continue up to July. You can pick the plant much more than what you need. You can preserve it with pickling.
Cultivating rhubarbs in containers
The climatic condition of your region may not be favorable for cultivating these plants. Still, you may grow them in your pots.
But, the most important thing is to find the right container. The large containers will easily accommodate rhubarbs. The depth and width of the pot must be at least 20 inches. The bigger pot enables the plant to grow bigger.
You may choose plastic containers and any light-colored pots. However, the clay pots and dark-colored containers warm up very fast and damage the rhubarb plant. The container must also ensure proper drainage.
These are some major planting guidelines for rhubarb growers. You have to water the plants and fertilize them often because containers can easily leach nutrients and water.
Fertilization tips
Fertilizer is important, especially at the time of planting the rhubarb. It is true that rhubarb plants need heavy feeding. However, you must not use heavy chemical fertilizers while planting rhubarbs.
The application of a high amount of nitrate will damage rhubarb plants. You may start fertilizing in the second year. You can use the compost tea for your plants.
Can you grow other plants near rhubarbs?
While planting rhubarbs, it is better to place them near the plants belonging to the brassica family. For instance, cabbage, kale, broccoli, and turnips are the safest companion plants. You may also grow rhubarbs near garlic and onions.
However, never plant rhubarbs close to legumes, which attract pests.
What are the common issues of growing rhubarbs?
Diseases and pests cannot seriously affect rhubarbs. Ensure that there is no growth of weeds. One of the common diseases of rhubarbs is crown rot. You can prevent it by watering the plants properly. Uses soaker hoses for applying water.
What is the right time for planting rhubarbs in containers?
You may choose any time of the year to plant rhubarbs from seeds. The soil must not be much dry and too waterlogged. Autumn and spring seasons are best for planting rhubarbs from their root crowns.
Do the potted rhubarbs differ from ones planted in the ground?
The potted rhubarbs are more controlled. They cannot spread out much. Thus, when your garden has limited space, you may rely on container gardening. There will be no difference in the taste of rhubarbs due to the mode of growing them.
How much time do rhubarbs take for proper growth?
Rhubarb will start growing in the first season. But, at that time, its crop may not be ready. After 2 years of planting it, you can crop it.
Conclusion
It is a comprehensive guide for rhubarb growers. You can go through it and buy containers to start cultivation.
But, the best fertilizers ensure the desired growth of the plants.