Once the family has developed a taste for the fruity and sour rhubarb, a single plant can no longer cover its needs. How good that rhubarb can be propagated so easily. We explain how it works.

Rhubarb divides in the fall, creating many new plants

If you want more specimens, early autumn is the best time for propagation. The new rhubarb plants will quickly take root in the still warm soil. So you are prepared for the coming cold season. Here's how to do it:

  • dig up the mother plant extensively
  • break up with a spade
  • rake in a generous dose of compost at the new spot in the garden
  • Dig about 40 cm deep planting holes at a distance of 100 cm
  • Plant sections and water generously

Drainage at the bottom of each planting hole serves as an effective prevention against waterlogging. Ideally, it consists of inorganic material such as gravel or crushed potsherds.

Let the interface dry

Due to the impressive volume of a rhubarb rootstock, a correspondingly large cut occurs during division. As a prophylactic against the formation of rot, it should be air-dried for a day before planting. Powdered with pure charcoal ash, the wound tissue heals even better.

Winter protection after division is beneficial

Propagation by division always results in several young plants. To ensure that they survive their first winter well, the following protective measures are recommended:

  • Spread a ring of compost or horse manure around each rhubarb
  • cover the plant itself with leaves, straw or pine fronds
  • a garden fleece also serves as warming protection

If the cold season comes with frost, the young plants are in danger of drying out. Gardeners speak of frost when there are low minus temperatures without snowfall. You should therefore water the rhubarb growth on frost-free days.

tips and tricks

With a simple gardening trick you can give your divided rhubarb plant an effective growth advantage. After dividing, place the root pieces first in the soil of the greenhouse or in a pot. Plant out the rhubarb next spring. After the frost-free hibernation, the plant drives out more quickly.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden