RHUBARB 201 



temperature ranges from 55 degrees to 60 degrees, stalks 

 will be large enough to cut in about 25 to 30 days from 

 planting, and the beds will produce for at least four 

 weeks. Excessively high temperatures not only cause 

 rapid growth, but the stalks will be spindling. 



Harvesting and marketing. The brittle, tender stalks 

 must be handled with extreme care to avoid injury. They 

 are easily removed from the crowns by grasping the base of 

 the stalk with the hand, and with the index finger of the 

 same hand breaking and pulling the stalk from the crown 

 without damaging those that may be starting. The 

 stalks should be removed as soon as they have attained 

 marketable size. If left too long they become soft, 

 spongy and unsalable. Washing the stems is not con- 

 sidered desirable because they keep in better condition 



Fig. 68. Rhubarb forced in total darkness. Note small leaf blades. 



for a longer period if no water is used. A cloth or brush 

 will remove any soil that may adhere to the stalks. 



The number of stems which should be tied in a bundle 

 will depend on their size. If they are large, three or four 

 (as shown in Fig. 68) will be sufficient. If small, twice 

 that number may be required. 



