My Rhubarb has sprung into life - is it edible?

[carosanto]

Hi Everyone

I have a year old Rhubarb which, to be honest has looked pretty miserable all this season since I planted it out with mounds of manure and tlc.  I didn't harvest it at all, just let it grow on, the leaves died off a bit and I thought that was it till next season.

Now, after a week of rain it has sprung into glorious life.  Bright red stalks, beautiful huge leaves.  Is there such a thing as a 'late fruiting' rhubarb, and would this be edible  now?  (It was a gift and I don't know its name sadly).

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Caro

[carosanto]

[goodlife]

Yes.. it is edible..BUT..stalks produced during summer often don't taste very nice..too sour.
As your plant is still 'newly planted'..I would leave these new stalks alone to build up the roots for next year. The early hot and dry weather caused rhubarb to end up its season bit too early only to be woken up again with cooler and wetter .. ::)
It is tempting though.. ;)

[antipodes]

Mine has done the same! The dry spring was horrible for it, the stems shriveled and many of the leaves looked burnt or damaged. Butthe June-July rain we have had here seems to have perked it up no end and it now has many good stems, I did cheat and took two big stems, they were quite nice, but I won't take any more now.

[Stevens706]

Mine was doing great until a storm smashed it down, but it has started growing back again, I will leave it to see how it recovers and might take 1 or 2  sticks later.

[busy_lizzie]

My rhubarb was also not very good this year, and the leaves seemed to be badly marked so I cut it all down, and low and behold it too has started to grow again and produce new stalks that look very healthy. I might try a couple but have also heard that by July rhubarb is rather bitter so it is best to pick it in the spring when it first comes up. busy_lizzie

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's at its best and juciest in the spring, but you can pick it in any month without an 'r' in it. In the autumn, the oxalic acid content rises, though I have picked it in October, and eaten loads without ill effects. This time of year I add a bit of water or fruit juice to make it juicier.

[manicscousers]

I've just cooked the last 3 stems with discovery apples and a bit of sugar

[Debs]

Ditto as with other posts - my rhubarb looked really thin & sickly looking until the rains came & it has gone into overdrive ;D
I've picked a few stems today but won't pick any more

Debs ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'm finding that the older stems have gone quite hard. We're still eating it though!