Rhubarb- rheum rhaponticum
The red or green stalks of rhubarb are a welcome treat in early spring, well before there is any fruit in the garden and while fruit in the shops is still expensive. The season for rhubarb is a long one, from mid spring until late summer.
Originally a native ... Read review
...red or green stalks of rhubarb are a welcome treat in early spring, well before there is any fruit in the garden and while fruit in the shops is still expensive. The season for rhubarb is a long one, from mid spring until late summer.
Originally a native of Siberia, rhubarb is a hardy, frost resistant, long lived plant. Because it will survive in poor conditions it is often treated as the poor relation of the garden, left to grow without ... ...it will survive such treatment, rhubarb grown in this way not crop well. Select the site for planting with care, thoroughly prepare the ground and cultivate the plant properly and it return you will enjoy years of good harvests.
But you have to remember never eat the poisonous leaves as the oxalic acid they contain can be fatal.
Choose a sunny site, sheltered from north and east winds and one where the plants can remain undisturbed ... more
Rhubarb- rheum rhaponticum
The red or green stalks of rhubarb are a welcome treat in early spring, well before there is any fruit in the garden and while fruit in the shops is still expensive. The season for rhubarb is a long one, from mid spring until late summer.
Originally a native of Siberia, rhubarb is a hardy, frost resistant, long lived plant. Because it will survive in poor conditions it is often treated as the poor relation of the garden, left to grow without proper care in a weedy, overgrown patch of ground. Although it will survive such treatment, rhubarb grown in this way not crop well. Select the site for planting with care, thoroughly prepare the ground and cultivate the plant properly and it return you will enjoy years of good harvests. But you have to remember never eat the poisonous leaves as the oxalic acid they contain can be fatal.
Choose a sunny site, sheltered from north and east winds and one where the plants can remain undisturbed for several years. Avoid low-lying ground liable to hold frost. Rhubarb will not crop early on a frosty site and late frosts will turn the leaves brown and rot the steams. Because rhubarb is a greedy feeder, do not site it too near trees or hedgerows where it will be competing for food and moisture. Nor should you plant it near fruit trees, because and chemical sprays you use on them will have a harmful effect on the rhubarb. Although rhubarb will grow in any ordinary garden soil, it prefers a slightly acid, deep, rich loam.
Because rhubarb likes to remain undisturbed it is essential to dig in enough organic matter to last for several years. Either in early autumn or late winter , several weeks before planting dig the soil to a depth about 2’. work into the soil half load of well rotted manure or garden compost. While preparing the soil, make sure you remove the roots of any weeds infesting the site. Pay particular attention to perennial weeds like: thistle, nettles and couch grass. If you fail to get rid of them before the rhubarb is planted, you will not be able to once the rhubarb is in. two weeks before planting scatter a general purpose compound fertilizer over the surface.
The time to plant out crowns is late autumn or early spring. Six crowns should be more then fill the needs of most families. Make sure the holes you dig are large enough to take the roots comfortably, otherwise growth may be stunted. Plant the crowns firmly, either in early spring or late autumn, with the topmost bud above the surface of the soil. Then spread a layer of garden compost or well rotted manure over the bed. Another way to grow rhubarb is from seed. It is a less expensive method, but has other drawbacks. The plants grown from seed tent to be variable, sometimes producing inferior strains. Also it takes an extra year before rhubarb grown from seed can be harvested. If you growing rhubarb from seed, sow in mid spring in drills 1” deep and 6” apart in a cold frame. You can sow them a month earlier, in early spring, in a heated greenhouse. Prick out when the seedlings have four leaves into 4” pots for greenhouse sown seeds or into a prepared bed in a farm or in open ground covered with cloches, placing the young plants about 6” apart. In late spring put the young plants outdoors without protection. The following spring throw away the weaker plants and transfer the best young crowns to their permanent bed.
In temperate regions, rhubarb requires little extra watering, but do not allow the soil to become dry during the summer months if any flowering shoots appear in late spring remove them before the buds open, otherwise the plants exhaust themselves. One the plants are established give an annual top dressing of general purpose fertilizer in early spring. In the growing season top dress with nitrogenous fertilizer. Every autumn mulch the crowns with a layer of well rotted manure or garden compost to give the plants a continuing supply of nourishment and also keep weeds down.
Never pull any steams during the first season’s growth after planting. It is best to leave plants grown from seeds and young crowns divided from old root stocks for two growth seasons without cropping. This gives the plants time to settle in and develop strong roots system. The first season you pull stalks from a plant, crop lightly or you will permently weaken the plant. Once the plant have been fully established, take three of four steams at a time from a crown. Do not cut the steam; pull it off by gripping the leaf stalk as low as possible and then twist and pull it simultaneously. The stalk should come away without its basal bud. Only pick steams whose leaves have fully unfolded; always leave at last three or four stems on the plant. One you have begun pulling stalks, stop harvesting after three months. This gives the plants a chance to recover from cropping and build up strength for the next year. In mid autumn clear the old brown leaves. Top dress the plants with a layer of rotted manure or garden compost. Make sure that the crown are well covered.
***VARIETIES*** Timperlry early, hawke’s champagne, victoria, prince albert, red skin.
***pests and diseases*** Crown rot- is carried by bacteria and entries the plants through wounds. The shoots will look spindly with weak steams and dull grey green leaves. It is best to dig it up and burn it. Botrytis-grey mould fungus rarely infects rhubarb outdoors, except in very wet season. It it more likely the force rhubarb to be infected. It it best to destroy infected plants. Leaf spot-it is cause by a fungus which disfigures the leaves.-brown spots. It is best to cultivated well. Mosaic virus- leaves attacked by this virus become mottled with yellow or pale green spots. It is best to destroyed infected plants Honey fungus- this infection is most likely to occur on heavy, badly drained soil.
***history and name*** The name is a combination of two words; one from Greek rha-wich state the river Volga, the second word is from Latin barbarum-which state the region of the Volga river or region know as non-Romans. The rhubarb originated in Mongolia or Siberia and has been introduce in Europe by Italian botanist Prosper Alpinus in 1608.the first of use of rhubarb was as a medicine but in the 18th century it start be cultivated for cooking.
***medicine*** Rhubarb is used as a laxative, antiphlogistic, and homeostatic in the treatment of constipation, diarrhea, jaundice, gastro-intestinal hemorrhage, menstrual disorders, conjunctivitis, traumatic injuries, superficial suppurative sores and ulcers. It is also applied externally for thermal burns. Rhubarb is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
**nutrition’s** This is per 100g of row beetroot: Total Calories 21.000kcal Total Fat 0.200g Saturated Fatty Acids 0.053g Monounsaturated Fatty Acids 0.039g Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids 0.099g Cholesterol 0.000mg Sodium 4.000mg Total Carbohydrates 4.540g Dietary Fibre 1.800g Sugars 1.100g Protein Water 93.610g. Vitamins :Vitamin C 8.000mg Riboflavin 0.030mg Niacin 0.300mg Pantothenic Acid 0.085mg Vitamin B6 0.024mg Vitamin B12 0.000mcg Folate 7.000mcg Vitamin A 102.000IU Vitamin E 0.380mg Vitamin D Vitamin K 41.000mcg Folic Acid 0.000mcg Minerals: Calcium 86.000mg Iron 0.220mg Magnesium 12.000mg Phosphorus 14.000mg Potassium 288.000mg Sodium 4.000mg Zink 0.100mg Copper 0.021mg Manganese 0.196mg Selenium 1.100mcg
***recipe*** Rhubarb with tuna You will need: 2 tuna fillets, 300g rhubarb-cut in small pieces, 4 shallots, 2 spoons of oil,2 spoons of brown sugar, salt and pepper and coriander.
In the frying pan- fry shallots till they caramelize and add sugar. Then add rhubarb and fry till rhubarb will be soft. Then take it of the heat and put your tuna fillet on top of it. Add salt and pepper and add 2 spoons of oil. Then put under the grill for 10 minutes. And enjoyed!
Advantages: Versatile vegetable that makes delicious desserts. Easy to grow, Disadvantages: Bitter tasting without sugar. Leaves are toxic!!
...always had a crown of rhubarb growing at the bottom of our garden. As a young child, it was always a treat to be able to be given a stick of the rhubarb and a bowl of sugar to dip in it – my mouth is watering just at the thought. Then about five years ago, they just died off!!
So when we were offered a couple of crowns from a work colleague earlier this year, I accepted eagerly. ~What is rhubarb and what does it look like?~
It may come as a bit ... ...average life span for a rhubarb crown is 20 years. (My father’s must have lasted about 40!!)
It has a distinctive appearance with its massive green elephant-ear shaped leaves shading the bright red stalks growing beneath them. A single plant itself can grow up to about 3 feet in height and spread over several feet. ~What’s in a name?~
The name Rhubarb comes from Middle English rubarbe, the Latin reubarbarum or the Greek rhā (perhaps from Rhā, ...
MAFARRIMOND 03.06.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rhubarb
...where my food comes from! Rhubarb is probably one of the easiest plants to grow and needs very little attention. Rheum Rhaponticum, to give it its Latin name, originated from Siberia. It was introduced into Britain in the late 16th century although was not used as a food until a lot late. Most people think of Rhubarb as a fruit but technically it is a vegetable as it is the stem that is eaten and not the fruit.
Growing Rhubarb is really simple. ... ...and this should produce enough Rhubarb to keep a family of 4 well supplied!
Rhubarb thrives in either full sun or partial shade. My Rhubarb gets very little sun as it is planted under trees. However it does very well, even though I tend to neglect it! If the weather is very dry then you it is best to water the Rhubarb, as it does like moist soil. Rhubarb will not suffer in the frost. In fact a frost is helpful to produce the best stalks in the spring. ...
anwar 21.04.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rhubarb
Advantages: pratically pest free, hardy, prolific, decorative Disadvantages: toxic leaves and roots, acquired taste
Rhubarb is one of those edible vegetable plants whose offerings you either love or hate. Originally from Asia, where it grows wild, it was first used medicinally. Rhubarb actually aids digestion by stimulating the production of more gastric juices and helps move the bile salts in the liver as well which helps regulate the absorption of fatty acids. In Europe, after its introduction for these traditional uses, it was discovered that it appealed to ... ...caution as well. Rhubarb is high in oxalis, which is poisonous to humans and animals if eaten. Only the stems are edible, with the roots and leaves carrying potentially lethal amounts of the compound. It is therefore recommended that if you decide to grow this plant in your garden, that your children are closely supervised and warned of its dangers. Rhubarb is also considered highly ornamental, and persons with limited garden space, or who have no ...
Shroud 04.07.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rhubarb
Advantages: Deliciously tasty for crumbles and tortes, easy to grow Disadvantages: None
...lot of people think of Rhubarb as a fruit, however, it is a vegetable. Rhubarb is a perennial, meaning that it grows year after year. When grown in good conditions, your rhubarb plants should last over 20 years, and should provide some wonderful crops in that time. Rhubarb plants can grow up to 60cm high, and up to 2 metres across depending on the variety. I particularly like the large leaves, which may be up to 45cm across each! The pinkish-red ... ...cooking in dishes such as Rhubarb crumble or torte. I recommend that you harvest these whilst they are still young, to make the best use of their magnificent flavour.
Rhubarb does not like high temperatures, it will still grow, but will not thrive . Rhubarb can also withstand very low temperatures down to at least -15 degrees celsius.
Recommended Varieties:
-----------------------------------
Champagne
Timperley Early
Victoria
You can grow ...
SnowiestElf 22.01.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rhubarb
Advantages: Easy to Grow and Cook Disadvantages: A bit sharp without Sugar
...a bit about the history
Rhubarb is the plant name for the many different species (about 70) of Rheum. It's from Asia and has been recorded in use as far back as 2700BC when it was cultivated for medicinal purposes. It is not recorded in Europe until the mid/late 1700s, and in the USA in the 1800s.
I think Rhubarb is an extremely underrated food, now I know that strictly speaking it's a vegetable not a fruit but as far as I'm concerned it tastes ... ...word)
I grow Rhubarb in my garden and I only have three plants but this provides me with sticks of Rhubarb from around the end of April right up until the end of September. You see the more you pick it the more it will grow new shoots. Not only do I have enough for myself but I am also constantly handing the stuff out to friends and relatives.
It's good to give things away cos you're usually first inline when other people are giving away their ...
traceychurchill76 06.10.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rhubarb
Advantages: Good for reducing sugar intake Disadvantages: seeds like mad
Angelica is too large for a small herb garden, and it seeds like mad, so you have to be vigilant if you plant it. But if you like to use its aniseed flavour in cooking, try planting it at the back of a herbaceous border amongst the delphiniums and lupins.
Angelica has a bright green foliage, which is attractive by itself. The flowers can be cut for short-lived flower arrangements if you plug their hollow stems with a little flower-foam before putting them in a vase.
Making candied angelica is complicated, but try cooking a few chunks of angelica stem with rhubarb, but remember to remove it before serving. It reduces the acidity so you won't need half your usual amount of sugar! ...
BizzyLizzy 01.06.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Angelica
Advantages: colourful garden Disadvantages: can be deadly
alkaloids.
*autumn crocus (colchicum autumnaie) - alkaloids are in the bulbs.
*lily of the valley (convallaria majalis) - all parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides.
*larkspur (delphinium ajacis) - the young plants and seeds are contain alkaloids.
*Christmas rose (hellebores Niger) -all the parts of the plant contain glycosides.
*iris (iris versicolor) - glycosides are in the bulbs.
*lupine (lupines) - all parts of the plant contains alkaloids.
*narcissus (narcissus) - alkaloids are in the bulbs
*Aconitum (Aconitum) - the poison (aconite) is in the seeds pods and roots.
vegetable plants
*Rhubarb (rheum rhaponticum) - solube oxalates are in the leaf blades.
*potato (solanum tuberosum) - glycoalkanoid is in the foliage and green-tinged tubers.
*tomato (solanum lycopersicon) alkaloid is in foliage and vines ...
redeyes22 04.04.2009 (19.07.2009)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Poisonous Plants
Advantages: If treated with caution these plants can be enjoyed Disadvantages: Danger to children & pets, poor labelling at point of sale
Iris - underground stems and pods
Ruta ( can give a nasty rash and swelling on the skin or mouth if swallowed)
Foxglove - leaves
Monkshood - leaves
Oleander - leaves, branches are deadly poisonous
Hyacinth, Daffodil, Narcissus - bulb is poisonous
Larkspur - seeds, young plants
Lily of Valley - leaves and flowers
Dicentra(Bleeding Heart) - foliage and roots poisonous, will also harm animals
Rhubarb - leaf blade
Daphne - berries deadly poisonous
Wisteria - seeds/pods
Laurel, Rhododendron, Azalea - all parts
Jasmine - berries
I'm sure that there are a few surprises in this list and I'm not advising that you go around your garden uprooting every azalea and daffodil in attempt to eliminate all risk. There are risks everywhere in life, I don't think ...
