What happens if you don't split rhubarb?

Question

I have a friend that has a rhubarb plant that was in the same place for at least 13 years, and she wants me to split it for her (because she's blind). What am I expecting from such an old plant, because there seems to be no information online about older plants?

She's paying me in extra root cuttings from digging up the plant.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 20 '22 at 11:22

1

It will be a job to split. The root gets "woody" with age.

You might need an axe or mattock to get the root mass sectioned.

If it's already leafed out (seems likely) you're a bit late for this year, and you'll have to be extra-careful about breaking leaves/stalks. Or wait for next year.

renewing rhubarb

edited May 20 '22 at 11:22

kevinskio

57,927
9
76
157

answered May 20 '22 at 00:44

Ecnerwal

22,158
22
49

I don't split to big pieces, I split it to root segments (2-3 inches), since I'm trying to get a field of plants growing (500+/-) for sales purposes. – black thumb May 20 '22 at 02:46
Each piece needs at least one bud (or leaf, if it's too late for those to be buds.) – Ecnerwal May 20 '22 at 12:31
I disagree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFXOga3xy0o – black thumb May 20 '22 at 14:44

What happens if you don't split rhubarb?

1 Answers1