Pre packed rhubard roots

I recently purchased a rhubard root that I purchased from my local plant shop. It was one of those that are in little plastic bags of earth sealed with a cardboard label at the top. After opening it I was presented with loads of earth and what looked like a clump and damp cardboard. Not really knowing what I was doing I pulled this 'cardboard' apart looking for some kind of root but found nothing, the whole thing just fell apart in my hand. I am guessing that clump of cardboard WAS the rhunbard, is that right??

I feel a little ripped off and certainly will not purchased these packaged roots again. :(

 

Problem with a lot of these prepacked roots ,is how long have they been on display in a very warm shop.They are often packed in dry peat or sawdust so the only thing left to dry out is the root .I always check them out if I buy any.I agree with Shiney take it back,but I surpose its all thrown away by now ..
Dave

 

Every shop seems to be selling these prepacked bits of herbaceous perennial roots now (although not seem rhubarb before). Even Marks and Spencer have got in on the act. I fell for it a few years ago - the piece of crown and root you get is tiny, so tiny that it takes years to get anything like a decent clump. Example - I got Phlox - after three years, it's still tiny, averaging about one or two flowers maximum!

I was looking at the display Wilkinson's had of these packages. Most of them were dead, the few that were not had rather pathetic foliage valiantly trying to sprout...and these were things like Aquilegia or Dicentra, which are about to bloom in my garden!

Go back and demand your money back.

 

You are SO right! :yess: I was so hesitant but I reassured myself that its only a pound, but of course, but the time 10,000 people across the country have fallen for this- they've made a fortune!
The photos on the front are so bright and beautiful! And they you get it home and this crispy bit of crown rolls out!

Such a scam!

 

Yes, the photos on the packaging look lovely. And £1.00 is cheap - other shops sell them for £3.00 or more...

 

I finally have a fresh, still alive, root but now need a little advice about growing it. I've heard soo many different conflicting instructions I'm totally confused! I'm pretty sure now that I shouldn't touch it for a year but I've read all about this forcing business and in the Mirror today they have written that it only grows pink if it IS forced.

Need a rhubarb expert to clarify for me! :s

 

It'll be a light shade of pink if its forced, but you don't want to be doing that with a new root.

Now your Rhubarb is going to be in the same spot for quite a few years so you need to dig in some rotted manure and compost.

If its just come out of a warm shop then harden it off by leaving it out in the day & bringing it in at night for a week before planting out.

Don't pick any shoots for a couple of years so it builds up a good root system (This will get huge)

After that, you'll have loads of Rhubarb for a long while.

 

I agree almost 100% with Ziggy's sage advice apart from his suggestion that you don't pick for a couple of years. He's right in suggesting that leaving it will enhance growth, but rhubarb grows like a weed and even if you have a lightish pick next year you'll still end up with more than you'll probably ever use.
I dug out our big clump about three years ago and transplanted a few bits, forced them under a plastic bin, cut a few stems in April and then left the clump to grow on. We've just had our first 3rd year picking (great cooked with either strawberries or apple!) and the clump is getting to the stage that we'll never manage to use more than a fraction of it - that is unless it can be converted into bio-fuel or we resume wine making ;-)

 

Thanks all.

Just to add, I'm growing it in a container.

 

I'd go along with that too Shiney. Like you say, if its from a packet, chances are its only a slip of a plant.

Clump i've recently divided up was the size of a very fat tabby cat and had the density of bog oak.

Now got five plants looking very healthy indeed, but won't touch it this year as I have other clumps to pull. ( Had 1st picking last week)