Hello,

I heard somewhere that to get the best stems from rhubarb the leaves have to
be wrapped to prevent them to grow to much and concentrate all the energy of
the plant in growing tasty stem. Is that true ? What is the best method ?

Thanks in advance !

Bertrand

In article ,
says...
Hello,

I heard somewhere that to get the best stems from rhubarb the leaves have to
be wrapped to prevent them to grow to much and concentrate all the energy of
the plant in growing tasty stem. Is that true ? What is the best method ?


I think you may be thinking of 'forced' rhubarb where it is grown in the
dark to give the pink/red stalks and yellow leaves.

Best way is under a large bucket. Pick and eat the stalks when young and
thin.

Normal 'outdoor' tends to be a bit sharper to the tongue and IMHO nowhere
near as nice as forced.
--
David
Visit http://www.farm-direct.co.uk for your local farmgate food supplies.
FAQ's, Glossary, Farming Year and more!

The message
from David P contains these words:

In article ,
says...
Hello,

I heard somewhere that to get the best stems from rhubarb the leaves
have to
be wrapped to prevent them to grow to much and concentrate all the
energy of
the plant in growing tasty stem. Is that true ? What is the best method ?


I think you may be thinking of 'forced' rhubarb where it is grown in the
dark to give the pink/red stalks and yellow leaves.

Best way is under a large bucket. Pick and eat the stalks when young and
thin.

Do it in early spring..too late for this season now.

Janet

On Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:32:30 +0100, David P wrote:

In article ,
says...
Hello,

I heard somewhere that to get the best stems from rhubarb the leaves have to
be wrapped to prevent them to grow to much and concentrate all the energy of
the plant in growing tasty stem. Is that true ? What is the best method ?


I think you may be thinking of 'forced' rhubarb where it is grown in the
dark to give the pink/red stalks and yellow leaves.

Best way is under a large bucket. Pick and eat the stalks when young and
thin.

Normal 'outdoor' tends to be a bit sharper to the tongue and IMHO nowhere
near as nice as forced.


Plus of course you can use a terracotta forcer specially made for the
job. I`ve had a looksie on the net and they come in at about £90. If
you have a word with your local college and see if they have a pottery
course you may be able to get one of the students to make one FAR
cheaper than that and just as effective. Why not invest in a pottery
course (mine costs 50 quid a term) and make one yourself in about 3
weeks and a bag of clay.