Rhubarb (from the Greek "reos") is a useful frost-resistant herbaceous perennial of the buckwheat family with large triangular leaves. It has been cultivated for several millennia. As a wild bush, this bush is common in Siberia, found in the Far East, Asia. The most popular plant in Western Europe and the B altics.
Two types of rhubarb are grown - vegetable and medicinal. The taste is sour, reminiscent of an apple. Young petioles are eaten. They contain citric, malic, ascorbic acids, protein, carotene, sugar, trace elements, potassium s alts, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium. Rhubarb is stewed, boiled, frozen, canned, stuffings, jam, candied fruit, compote are prepared from it. In medicine, rhubarb root is used as a means to improve the digestive system, stimulate appetite. Powder, tablets, extracts are prepared from it.
Rhubarb is shade tolerant, but best planted on the sunny side of the site for maximum yield. Likes rich in organic matter, light slightly acidic soils. It is usually placed on the corners of a plantation oralong the fence. The fruiting period in one place is up to 15 years. Petioles can be harvested from the second year plant.
Rhubarb - cultivation. Fitting Methods:
1. Seeds
They must first be soaked in water for 48 hours. They are sown in March-April, July or autumn (on frozen ground). The distance between the rows is 0.2 m, the planting depth is 2 cm. The sprouts germinate on the 6th day. In autumn, seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place or thinned out by 0.6 m. For one adult plant, a plot of at least 0.4 square meters is required, since the root grows to a distance of three meters.
2. Vegetative (rhizome)
Rhubarb root is best planted in the third decade of August. For this purpose, a rhizome with a bud is taken from a he althy 4-year-old plant and buried in a hole with humus. The next day, the seedling can be watered, during which time the wounds on the plant will have time to dry.
Rhubarb - cultivation. Secrets of a good harvest
- do not bury the bud when planting in the soil;
- you can not use old rhizomes or rhizomes with many buds for seedlings, otherwise the plant will bloom quickly;
- flower arrows should be cut off immediately;
- if the plant is constantly blooming, it is old. Such an instance should be replaced;
- it is necessary to remove old dried leaves in time - they die off annually, and the rhizomes hibernate in the soil;
- if in spring the bud rises strongly above the soil, it needs to be slightly deepened, otherwise it will dry out;
Caresimple plant - regular watering on hot days, 2 organic fertilizers per season, loosening the soil if necessary.
Rhubarb - cultivation: disease control
Timely autumn harvesting of all foliage remnants will help prevent the development of various diseases. The plant is susceptible to fungal diseases. The leaves turn red, then dry up. Spraying with a weak solution of potassium permanganate will help to cope with the disease.
Rhubarb - cultivation. How to collect?
Carefully break off the petiole at the base, being careful not to damage the buds. Do not remove the film from the bottom and leave a small fraction of the foliage on the cut petiole. The rhubarb collected in this way remains juicy for a long time, as it will be "corked" on both sides. Below you can see what a well-groomed rhubarb looks like: a photo of a plant grown according to all the rules
To grow a he althy giant plant, follow three basic rules:
- choose a sunny site for planting;
- do not plant anything within a radius of three meters from it;
- take care of rhubarb in a timely manner - water, loosen the soil.
