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rhubarb

• Message 1. 

  Posted by eghodge (U3502116) on Monday, 13th September 2010

  can anyone tell me when to stop picking rhubarb, mine still looks healthy, and i fancy some crumble.
  i know that the leaves are poisonous, so i am abit wary.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by pinxit (U14558922) on Monday, 13th September 2010

  I don't think the rhubarb will do you any harm, provided you don't eat the leaves or the bottom 50cm / 2ins of stem, where more of the oxalic acid is stored. It is sometimes said to have a laxative effect if you pick late in the year, as the stems become more fibrous!
  
  But you may do the rhubarb harm if you pick too late, as it needs leaves left on it to feed its roots for future years. I have heard you shouldn't pick after the end of July for this reason. I have eyed the rhubarb recently, thinking "I'm sure I could pick some more of that without harming the plant," but so far I've resisted!

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Monday, 13th September 2010

  Never pick after July as the acid builds up in the rhubarb and it does not taste ao good. As well as this the rhubarb needs the stems to build up for next year and by picking it you weaken your plant. The stems may look tempting but you may find that like all tempting things you get your fingers burnt. The crumble will not be so tasty and you will have less stems next year.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by kiocarp (U2370311) on Monday, 13th September 2010

  
  so mine will not taste as good as the little darlings have been helping them selfs to mine after July so will give it leaf mould as well as a good mucking to help it a long.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by ladynovicegardener (U5368058) on Wednesday, 15th September 2010

  Thanks a million for this advice, I did'nt know you're not ment to pick the leaves after July. I'll leave the ones on then, I'd intended having them this coming weekend.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by pinxit (U14558922) on Wednesday, 15th September 2010

  You may know this already, but there has been another thread recently on this message board about what happens to rhubarb leaves in winter - they die off! So don't be alarmed if yours do this. They'll soon show again in late winter as big fat buds.
  
  Now, during autumn, some leaf mould/ garden compost/ well-rotted manure piled around them will feed and keep them warm for the winter. The only hazard to doing this is if you have a long spell of wet weather: if there's a lot of organic matter on top of the "crowns" where the buds form, they can rot. I live in a wet area, so I put the stuff around the plant rather than on top of its centre, and I've never had trouble yet. They're tough old things!

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