Rheum

The Rhubarb genus (Rheum) consists of 50 rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plants. In the temperate zone, vegetable and medicinal species are more often cultivated, in addition, all types of rhubarb contain tannins, some rhubarbs are cultivated as ornamental. Species with decorative foliage are described here. Rhubarb has a basal rosette of large long-stemmed leaves, whole or lobed, often brightly colored on the underside. Flowers are small, undecorated, in a spike-shaped or paniculate inflorescence up to 50 cm long on erect peduncles. Cultural rhubarb (Rheum x cultorum), most likely, is a hybrid of Black Sea rhubarb (R. rhaponticum) 1.5 m high, with yellowish flowers, and palm-shaped rhubarb (R. palmatum), up to 4 m high. The leaves of the latter species are 70-80 cm in diameter, on fleshy ribbed petioles, 5-7-lobed, the blades are divided into lobes, the stem leaves are regular, oval-pointed. In early summer, nondescript flowers bloom. This species has many cultivars, there are varieties with reddish leaves and inflorescences, for example, 'Dark blood-red'. Cultural rhubarb is characterized by rosette leaves slightly pubescent on the underside, petioles long, with a deep groove. The leaves are edible, with pale yellow flowers appearing in summer. Rhubarb Alexandra (R. alexandrae) - a species up to 1.2 m tall, with short rhizomes, the roots go deep into the ground. The leaves are ovate glossy green, with a short petiole. In May-June, flowers collected in panicles up to 50 cm long with cream, overlapping bracts bloom. Rhubarb (R. nobile) grows up to 2 m in height. Basal leaves are rounded, up to 20 cm wide. In summer, cream flowers bloom. Rhubarb officinale (R. officinale) is widely grown in decorative gardening, up to 3 m high, with whole long (up to 1 m) leaves. In summer, greenish-white flowers collected in dense panicles bloom. It is used for medicinal purposes the plant stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.

The Rhubarb genus (Rheum) consists of 50 rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plants. In the temperate zone, vegetable and medicinal species are more often cultivated, in addition, all types of rhubarb contain tannins, some rhubarbs are cultivated as ornamental. Species with decorative foliage are described here. Rhubarb has a basal rosette of large long-stemmed leaves, whole or lobed, often brightly colored on the underside. Flowers are small, undecorated, in a spike-shaped or paniculate inflorescence up to 50 cm long on erect peduncles.

Cultural rhubarb (Rheum x cultorum), most likely, is a hybrid of Black Sea rhubarb (R. rhaponticum) 1.5 m high, with yellowish flowers, and palm-shaped rhubarb (R. palmatum), up to 4 m high. The leaves of the latter species are 70-80 cm in diameter, on fleshy ribbed petioles, 5-7-lobed, the blades are divided into lobes, the stem leaves are regular, oval-pointed. In early summer, nondescript flowers bloom. This species has many cultivars, there are varieties with reddish leaves and inflorescences, for example, 'Dark blood-red'. Cultural rhubarb is characterized by rosette leaves slightly pubescent on the underside, petioles long, with a deep groove. The leaves are edible, with pale yellow flowers appearing in summer.

Rhubarb Alexandra (R. alexandrae) - a species up to 1.2 m tall, with short rhizomes, the roots go deep into the ground. The leaves are ovate glossy green, with a short petiole. In May-June, flowers collected in panicles up to 50 cm long with cream, overlapping bracts bloom.

Rhubarb (R. nobile) grows up to 2 m in height. Basal leaves are rounded, up to 20 cm wide. In summer, cream flowers bloom.

Rhubarb officinale (R. officinale) is widely grown in decorative gardening, up to 3 m high, with whole long (up to 1 m) leaves. In summer, greenish-white flowers collected in dense panicles bloom. It is used for medicinal purposes the plant stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.

Cultivation

Rhubarb is used in gardening, grown in the open ground on lawns, flower beds, in curbs, along the banks of reservoirs. For planting, a deeply processed, sufficiently moistened, non-acidic, well-fertilized soil is suitable.

Location

Rhubarb prefers an open sunny place, but grows successfully in partial shade.

Temperature

Rhubarb is a hardy crop that tolerates temperatures up to 15-20 °C.

Watering

In summer, they are watered abundantly, but without stagnant moisture.

Reproduction

Propagate by seed and dividing bushes (the simplest method) in autumn or late spring (if the winters are cold). The resulting parts are immediately planted in the ground. Each such bush should have its own root system and at least one kidney. It is also possible to sow directly in the open ground in the spring. Seedlings are thinned out, and then, in the fall, planted in a permanent place.

Diseases

Rhubarb is quite resistant to diseases. Excess water can lead to asphyxiation of the roots, they become covered with mold, which can affect not only the roots, but also the peduncles. Pay attention to watering, and especially avoid stagnation of water in the soil. Insect pests that live in the ground can gnaw at the roots, which causes the plant to die. Insecticide treatment can only be carried out if you do not intend to use the plants for medicinal and food purposes.

Acquisition

Rhubarb can be purchased in horticultural centers or specialized nurseries. Choose very compact seedlings.