Rheum Rhabarbarum 'Red Canadian'
Rhubarb 'Canada Red'
Rhubarb is easy to grow and very hardy - in fact it needs a cold period in order to produce a good crop. Plants need to be sited somewhere they can remain undisturbed for a long time, as they can remain productive for many years. For an early crop, rhubarb can be "forced" - ie. the crown covered by an upturned bucket, or similar, to shut out the light, which encourages the plant to grow tender shoots earlier than it would otherwise. 'Canada Red' has large dark green leaves with long thick sweet red stalks. Great for preserves and baking. Forms tall flower stalks in July. Grows in zones 2 to 9.
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Full sun
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Frequent watering
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Rhubarb 'Canada Red'
Latin name
Rheum Rhabarbarum 'Red Canadian'
type
Vegetable
family
Polygonaceae
ph
6.0 - 6.8 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun
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Frost
Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Soil
Moist and free draining
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Water
Frequent watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When to harvest
full grown dimensions
2.00 M
1.00 M
Rheum Rhabarbarum 'Red Canadian'
Rhubarb is easy to grow and very hardy - in fact it needs a cold period in order to produce a good crop. Plants need to be sited somewhere they can remain undisturbed for a long time, as they can remain productive for many years. For an early crop, rhubarb can be "forced" - ie. the crown covered by an upturned bucket, or similar, to shut out the light, which encourages the plant to grow tender shoots earlier than it would otherwise. 'Canada Red' has large dark green leaves with long thick sweet red stalks. Great for preserves and baking. Forms tall flower stalks in July. Grows in zones 2 to 9.
Planting outdoors
From Early Spring TO Late Autumn
Grow rhubarb in moist, well drained soil in a sunny position if possible, although they will tolerate semi shade. Rhubarb plants grow in the same plot for a long time - 10 years or so, therefore it’s well worth preparing the soil before you plant them. Dig in plenty of well rotted manure to a depth of about 60cm. Rhubarb can be grown from seed but it's far better to plant rhubarb crowns or budded pieces. When planting set them so that the top of the crown sits at soil level or slightly below This will help to prevent crown rot. Rhubarb plants can get quite large so allow a spacing of 75cm (30") between plants. Don't pull any stalks off during the first season after planting, to give the plant time to establish. Always leave at least two stalks on the plant when harvesting.
Propagation by division.
From Mid Autumn TO Late Autumn
Rhubarb is propagated mainly by division. Expose a corner of a well established crown, remove and replant in new position after digging in lots of well rotted compost.