Q. I would like to grow rhubarb here in Las Vegas. I live
in Sun City Summerlin at about 3300ft. elevation. Any and all info would be
appreciated such as variety, where to purchase, when to plant, shade or sun, in
the ground or in pots, etc.
in Sun City Summerlin at about 3300ft. elevation. Any and all info would be
appreciated such as variety, where to purchase, when to plant, shade or sun, in
the ground or in pots, etc.
A. We did try rhubarb at our orchard a couple of times
with no success. It could not handle the
heat, primarily, which is my guess. It
is commonly believed that rhubarb will not grow in the Las Vegas valley and the
purported reason among gardeners is that it needs some winter “chilling”. I am
not convinced of this.
with no success. It could not handle the
heat, primarily, which is my guess. It
is commonly believed that rhubarb will not grow in the Las Vegas valley and the
purported reason among gardeners is that it needs some winter “chilling”. I am
not convinced of this.
But my
failure should not stop you because I did not give it a lot of my time and it
was not planted in a protected area which it will require to “baby” it for the
first couple of years until you learn how to manage it.
failure should not stop you because I did not give it a lot of my time and it
was not planted in a protected area which it will require to “baby” it for the
first couple of years until you learn how to manage it.
Rhubarb
is probably not something I would recommend unless you are an experienced gardener
and understand how to manipulate and manage your microclimates, soils and
irrigation to get the response you need.
is probably not something I would recommend unless you are an experienced gardener
and understand how to manipulate and manage your microclimates, soils and
irrigation to get the response you need.
Your
3300 foot elevation will help a lot compared to our 2000 foot elevation at The
Orchard. It would be very happy at 4500 feet or more. I would plant it in the
ground.
3300 foot elevation will help a lot compared to our 2000 foot elevation at The
Orchard. It would be very happy at 4500 feet or more. I would plant it in the
ground.
Find a
bright but cool location in your yard that will protect the plant from late
afternoon sun. Light shade will work
just fine. I would usually suggest the north or east sides of a building.
Winter cold is not a concern.
bright but cool location in your yard that will protect the plant from late
afternoon sun. Light shade will work
just fine. I would usually suggest the north or east sides of a building.
Winter cold is not a concern.
Pick a
spot where it can be left undisturbed for the next 10 years. This is a perennial crop, harvesting leaves
and stems regularly through the growing season.
spot where it can be left undisturbed for the next 10 years. This is a perennial crop, harvesting leaves
and stems regularly through the growing season.
Dig the
soil about 18 inches deep and amend with about 75% good compost. There is a lot
of junk compost out there. In compost, you will usually get what you pay for.
soil about 18 inches deep and amend with about 75% good compost. There is a lot
of junk compost out there. In compost, you will usually get what you pay for.
Rhubarb
can grow to four feet in height in the right climate. You will probably see it
healthy during the spring and fall and really look quite bad during the hot
summer months then rebound again in the fall. This is what we see with
artichokes and other plants that are not supposed to grow here as well.
can grow to four feet in height in the right climate. You will probably see it
healthy during the spring and fall and really look quite bad during the hot
summer months then rebound again in the fall. This is what we see with
artichokes and other plants that are not supposed to grow here as well.
Plant
the rhubarb rhizome with at least one good “eye” pointing up, three feet apart,
about three inches deep. Fertilize with vegetable fertilizers. Mulch with straw
to keep the soil cool and moist.
the rhubarb rhizome with at least one good “eye” pointing up, three feet apart,
about three inches deep. Fertilize with vegetable fertilizers. Mulch with straw
to keep the soil cool and moist.
Place a
basin around the plant to collect irrigation water and hand water until you see
strong growth. Fertilize it in January to get started and lightly once a month
when you are harvesting the leaves and petioles. The leaves are poisonous so just
use the stalks or petioles.
basin around the plant to collect irrigation water and hand water until you see
strong growth. Fertilize it in January to get started and lightly once a month
when you are harvesting the leaves and petioles. The leaves are poisonous so just
use the stalks or petioles.