Rheum rhubarbarum
Polygonaceae
Rhubarb
Stout perennial herb with edible petioles. Stems to 2m (6 feet). Large ovate leaves with wavy margins grow in basal clumps. Small greenish-white flowers.
Uses
Harvesting commences in the second or even third year, continuing annually. Always leave some foliage on the plant. Harvest when leaves turn down on the leaf stem, by pulling from the stem.
Cut off the leaves and store the stem stalks in the refrigerator.
DO NOT EAT THE LEAVES - THEY ARE POISONOUS
Stems can be stewed or frozen.
Culture
Grown by seed or division.
Requires temperatures below 25 degrees C. Prefers well-drained sites, but the soil should be kept moist. Requires fertile soil high in phosphorous. Optimum pH of 6.0-7.0
Can suffer from brown rot, leaf spot, fusarium wilt and frost.
Shade plants during warmer weather.http://osu.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/rhubarb.html
Cultivars
No information available at this time...
Plant Health
No information available at this time...
More info
'Home Vegetable Growing' and 'Commercial Vegetable Production' courses through Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/hort.
'Commercial Hydroponics' on CDROM from Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/shop
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