The idea is to find someone you know with the plant that has the color, stalk and hardiness you want and beg or trade for a good slice of the original plant with its roots intact in its ball of soil. When ready to plant, a good hole with compost and proper drainage should be waiting. Plants are influenced by their environment and they still may show some variations from the original.

 

Large plants should be treated like all perennials, dividing the crowns every 4-5 years, but they can go much longer. When harvesting, enough leaves should be left for the plant to store carbohydrates for the next season. It is a good idea not to take more than 1/3 and to stop harvesting by the 4th of July. Some people cut and others pull. There are spore-bearing disease agents that are more easily introduced by cuts. A layer of peat moss is reported to discourage disease. Rhubarb is a heavy feeder. The soil must be kept healthy.

I will have to beg or buy this year’s crop and may only have a little produced next year but I can already anticipate a plot that will produce for years to come. I imagine introducing my baby granddaughter to the delights of a freshly pulled stalk, leaves carefully removed, and a dash of salt which will rival any jarred pickle for sheer sour joy.