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Hardy and perennial, rhubarb is prized for its sour flavour and brightly coloured stalks. Rhubarb is a versatile ingredient in savoury meals and is frequently used in desserts. Rhubarb needs to be pruned regularly to stay strong and fruitful. Maintaining the size of the rhubarb plant, removing dead or damaged plant material, and promoting the development of new stalks are all benefits of pruning.
This article aims to give readers a straightforward, step-by-step tutorial on how to prune rhubarb in only three simple stages. We will also go over common mistakes to avoid, when is the proper time of year to prune rhubarb, and how to take care of your clipped rhubarb plants.
Finally, we will discuss whether rhubarb die back in winter and what to anticipate. So let’s get going!
Understanding Rhubarb Growth
It’s critical first to comprehend the rhubarb plant’s growth characteristics to prune it correctly. Hardy and perennial rhubarb is prized for its broad, meaty stalks. These stalks come out of the soil surface from a crown, a collection of roots and stems.
Seasonal variations impact rhubarb growth in two periods throughout the year. The plant produces thick, fleshy stalks in the spring, harvested and used in cooking. The crown has these stalks in response to rising temperatures and longer days.
Rhubarb starts to grow in its second phase as the summer goes on. The plant concentrates on strengthening its root system and saving energy for the following year during this period. Even though some stalks might continue to grow during this time, they are often smaller and less tasty.
The rhubarb plant’s leaves start to die back in the fall, and the stalks begin to wilt. Finally, the plant enters a dormant state when the temperature drops and its growth stops completely. The plant is getting ready for winter, and its leaves and stalks are drying out and turning brown.
Rhubarb could seem to die fully back in the winter. This, however, is merely a reaction to the cold and does not reflect the plant’s health as a whole. Rhubarb is quite hard and can endure chilly conditions.
Even though the plant may seem inactive over the winter, its subsurface crown and root system are still alive and active. This means that rhubarb will continue to grow and produce stalks for many years with the right care and attention.
Technically, the answer to whether rhubarb die back in winter is “yes,” but only partially. The plant’s aerial components will wither away, but its underground crown and root system will continue functioning. Therefore, it’s crucial to remember that even though the plant can seem dormant now, it is still alive and needs adequate care to maintain its health and output.
When To Prune Rhubarb?
When it comes to pruning rhubarb, timing is crucial. When a plant is pruned properly, it will remain strong and prolific, but pruning improperly might result in lower yields or even plant damage.
Early spring or late winter, right before the plant starts its spring growth spurt, is the optimal time to prune rhubarb. Depending on your temperature and the particular growth circumstances in your area, this normally occurs around February or March. By pruning now, you’ll allow the plant plenty of time to recover from the procedure and promote the spring growth of strong new stalks.
Recognizing the signs that rhubarb needs to be pruned is not too difficult. Look for stalks that are weak-looking, spindly, or with little, weak-looking leaves. These are indications that the plant is either not receiving enough nutrients or is having difficulty growing healthily. By cutting these stalks back to the crown, you can help the plant focus its energy on developing strong new growth.
In addition, if the rhubarb plant has gotten too big or too tall, you could also wish to prune it. Reduced harvests and plant disease might result from the stalks being packed or growing too close together. Pruning can aid in thinning the plant and encourage stronger development.
What occurs if rhubarb is pruned too soon or too late? Early rhubarb pruning can harm the plant’s crown and root structure, resulting in lower yields or possibly plant mortality. Pruning too late can also be harmful since it can prevent the plant from undergoing its spring growth spurt and remove new growth.
Pruning should be done in the spring when the plant will have had enough time to recover from the pruning process and start producing healthy new growth. But with the right timing and attention, pruning may be useful for keeping your rhubarb plants healthy and productive.
How To Prune Rhubarb in 3 Steps?
Now that you know when to do so, let’s talk about the three actions you must do to prune your rhubarb plant properly. Make sure you have the appropriate tools before you begin pruning. A clean, well-kept set of pruning shears or sharp knives are required. To prevent the spreading of any pathogens or diseases to the plant, it’s crucial to use clean instruments. Your tools can be cleaned by disinfectant wiping or soaking in one bleach to nine parts water.
- Step 1: Get rid of any leaves or stalks that are dead or damaged. These are distinguishable by their wilted or brown appearance. Cut them off as close to the plant’s base with your pruning shears or knife.
- Step 2: Thin out any crowded or spindly stalks. Cut stalks back to the crown if they are getting too close together or are smaller than the others. Doing this can direct the plant’s energy toward growing strong new growth.
- Step 3: Trim any remaining stalks to a height of around 2-3 inches. The plant will be encouraged to create healthy new growth in the spring. However, avoid over-pruning the plant because this can result in lower yields or death. It’s crucial to remember that pruning should never involve completely removing the plant’s stalks. To continue generating energy through photosynthesis, which is necessary for robust growth, the plant requires some stalks.
What Proportion of The Rhubarb Plant Needs to Be Pruned?
The size and health of the plant will determine how much of the rhubarb plant has to be clipped. You can easily remove dead or broken leaves and stalks from a healthy plant with many stalks. You can also thin down any overcrowding or spindly stalks. On the other hand, you might need to prune back more of the plant if it is overgrown or has fewer stalks to encourage strong new growth. Generally speaking, when pruning, you should try to remove around and no more than one-third of the plant. By doing this, the plant can recover from the pruning procedure and produce healthy new growth in the spring. It’s always a good idea to err on the cautious side and prune less rather than more when deciding how much of the plant to prune. You can always go back and, if necessary, prune more.
Aftercare of Rhubarb Post Pruning
You are giving your rhubarb plant the right aftercare after pruning is crucial to promote healthy growth and a strong crop. Giving plants time to recover before the growing season starts is vital because pruning can be stressful. However, the plant can recover more rapidly and develop healthy new growth with the help of proper upkeep.
How to Take Care of Clipped Rhubarb Plants?
After pruning, clear the area surrounding the plant’s base of trash or dead foliage. This will aid in the eradication of pests and illnesses. You can also cover the soil with compost or other organic waste to provide the plant nutrients. Always water the plant frequently and thoroughly during the growing season, especially during dry spells. For example, plants that produce rhubarb prefer damp soil, but too much moisture might cause rot. If possible, offer an inch of water per week through irrigation or rainfall. Rhubarb plants might benefit from mulching as well. A covering of organic mulch, such as leaves or straw, can aid in moisture retention and weed prevention.
How Frequently Should Trimmed Rhubarb Plants Be Fertilized?
Due to their intense feeding habits, rhubarb plants benefit from routine fertilizers. Following pruning, you should spread a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around the plant’s base. For application rates, according to the directions on the fertilizer package.
During the growing season, every 4 to 6 weeks, you can also side-dress the plant with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, like blood meal or fish emulsion. This will encourage strong growth and boost yields.
Over-fertilizing rhubarb plants can result in excessive foliage growth at the price of stalk formation. Thus it’s crucial to avoid doing so. Instead, follow the suggested rates and make any required adjustments by the plant’s development and production.
Common Rhubarb Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Pruning is crucial for any gardener wanting to keep their rhubarb plants healthy and fruitful. While pruning rhubarb, people make frequent mistakes that can harm the plant’s health and lower output. Here are several trimming errors to avoid when growing rhubarb:
1. Too-Early or Too-Late Pruning
Pruning rhubarb at the incorrect time is among the biggest errors people make. When pruning is done too soon, it can harm newly forming growth, while pruning done too late can cause the plant to expend energy on old, ineffective development. As soon as the new development sprouts, early spring or late winter is the ideal time to prune your rhubarb.
2. Stalks that Are Too Short
It’s crucial to leave at least one or two healthy buds on each surviving stalk when pruning rhubarb. The plant might not have enough energy to develop new growth if the stalks are cut too short, and the plant may produce fewer and weaker stalks the following season.
3. Over-Removing Foliage
When pruning your rhubarb, it’s necessary to eliminate any damaged or old growth, but you also don’t want to remove too much leaf. To produce energy through photosynthesis, rhubarb plants need their leaves, and removing too much of the foliage will weaken the plant and lower its production.
4. Ignoring Follow-Up
Properly maintaining your rhubarb plant after pruning is crucial to promoting healthy development and a strong harvest. This covers regular fertilization and irrigation. Neglecting aftercare might result in unhealthy plants and lower yields.
5. Using Outdated Tools
When pruning, using dull tools can result in jagged cuts that harm the plant and open up entryways for pathogens and pests. Use sharp pruning shears or a pruning saw to guarantee clean, accurate cuts while pruning your rhubarb.
By avoiding these typical blunders, you can encourage the growth of your rhubarb plants and ensure a plentiful crop of mouthwatering stalks year after year.
Conclusion
Keeping rhubarb plants healthy and increasing yields need regular pruning. However, your rhubarb plants will thrive and produce mouthwatering stalks if you prune them appropriately and at the right time of year.
Rhubarb plants die in winter, which is normal and should not cause concern. However, the plant will reappear in the spring, and timely trimming can help to guarantee healthy development and a strong crop.
When pruning rhubarb, use precise tools, eliminate any damaged or old growth, and leave at least one or two healthy buds on each left stalk. After pruning, give the plant the appropriate upkeep, such as routine watering and fertilizing.
You may reap a plentiful supply of delectable rhubarb stalks year after year by following these instructions.
