Black Sea Rhubarb

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Black sea rhubarb (lat. Rheum rhaponticum) - a rare representative of the genus Rhubarb. It is often called garden rhubarb. In nature, it is found on the territory of Russia, mainly in the temperate zone. It is rarely cultivated in culture, although it is suitable for culinary activities. In addition, it boasts a high healing ability.

Characteristics of culture

Black Sea rhubarb is represented by perennial herbaceous plants equipped with a powerful (over time) woody rhizome. The stems, in turn, are rather thick, powerful, can be green or red-green in color. They are crowned with large, slightly wavy foliage at the edges. The flowers are six-lobed, collected in apical paniculate inflorescences, which are formed from the stems.

The fruits, like other representatives of the genus, are represented by triangular nuts with developed wings. Outwardly, the Black Sea rhubarb is not much different from its closest counterparts, but still there are distinctive features. They have a thicker and shorter rhizome, and their foliage is oval, rather than finger or lobed.

Growing features

Black Sea rhubarb is not a whimsical plant, however, for its successful cultivation, a number of rules must be followed. So, the soil for growing the species is preferable to wet, nutritious, loose. Whereas the location is preferably sunny and open. In such areas, plants develop more actively, in addition, they form juicy greens that can be used for culinary purposes.

On heavy, saline and dry soils, Black Sea rhubarb feels defective. Slow growth, shrinking foliage and other negative characteristics are observed. It is impossible to get a good harvest from such sites. The situation is similar with shady areas, because the plant suffers from a lack of sunlight and, accordingly, lags behind in growth.

If we talk about the nutritional value of the soil, then it is also important to observe the frequency of fertilizing. It is necessary to introduce organic matter before planting, and then every three years. Mineral fertilizers are also applied before planting, and then every spring, as needed and depending on the condition of the soil. Liming is only required if the pH is below 5, 5.

The culture can be propagated by sowing seeds or vegetatively, that is, by dividing the rhizome. The second method is most relevant among gardeners. The division is carried out closer to autumn, digging in the bush with a shovel. It is important that there is one healthy kidney per share. Immediately after the division, the material should be planted in a permanent place; it cannot be kept outdoors for a long time, otherwise the division will not take root.

Before planting, the soil is carefully dug up, and deeply - not less than 90-100 cm, because the roots of the culture penetrate far into the depths. Then rotted manure or humus and mineral fertilizers are introduced. The cut is planted so that the kidney is located 3 cm underground. After they are tamped and watered abundantly. Cover, if necessary, to protect against low temperatures.

Sowing seeds is also carried out in the fall, that is, immediately after collecting the seeds. If you transfer the sowing to spring, the seeds require preliminary cold stratification, which gives gardeners some difficulties. When sown before winter, the seeds undergo natural stratification. Seeds are buried to a depth of no more than 3 cm, ideally by 2 cm. Seedlings appear together, usually after 2-3 weeks. As necessary, the crops are thinned out, leaving a distance of 20-25 cm between young plants. The grown plants are planted in a permanent place after 2 years.

Caring for the Black Sea rhubarb consists of standard procedures - watering, fertilizing and light loosening. Weed removal is mainly required in the first and second year, later the plants actively grow and form large foliage that covers the soil and prevents weeds from growing. Watering, in turn, is carried out from the moment of planting / sowing and continues until August.