This English heirloom variety was bred for early maturity and a long harvest window. Glaskin's Perpetual Rhubarb is tart, but never bitter... Read More
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This English heirloom variety was bred for early maturity and a long harvest window. Glaskin's Perpetual Rhubarb is tart, but never bitter due to its naturally low oxalic acid content. If it's given a good early start indoors, it can be harvested (late) during the first season's growth. Some leaves should be left unharvested to encourage good root growth and a strong return the following summer. The thick, succulent stems grow 30-35cm (12-14") long, with a primarily pink and green pigment and some red markings. This is the best rhubarb variety for harvesting later in the year. Grow it in full sun, in rich, fertile, well drained soil.
Matures in the first year. (Open-pollinated seeds)
Latin
Latin
Rheum rhabarbarum
Family: Polygonaceae
Difficulty
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: Hardy in zones 2 – 9
Timing
Timing
Sow indoors in April and transplant or direct sow in mid-May where plants are to grow permanently. Optimal soil temperature: 16-25°C (60-75°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Starting
Starting
Sow 2cm (1″) deep, but plan for large plants. One plant will satisfy the needs of one household. Farm rows 100-120cm (36-48″) apart, plants 120 (48″) apart in the row.
Growing
Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Any well-drained moderately fertile garden soil will do. Mulch around plants in fall with finished compost or well rotted steer manure. Choose a sunny spot. Rhubarb is cold hardy and drought tolerant. After growth stops in the fall, the plants go dormant, and require a period below 4°C (40°F) to stimulate good spring bud growth. In the second year, remove flower stalks as they appear. Divide plants every 4-5 years. A well maintained plant should produce for over a decade.
Harvest
Harvest
Do not harvest during the first year of growth. Cut the tart red stalks from February to April after the first year of undisturbed growth. Do not eat the leaves. Stalks can be harvested all at once or selectively as required.
Seed Info
Seed Info
In optimal conditions, at least 50% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.
Diseases & Pests
Diseases & Pests
Pests: Watch for slugs around new seedlings. Otherwise, rhubarb is a tough, hardy plant with few pests.
