rhubarb

Rhubarb (Rheum hybridum 'Valentine') needs to be watered deeply and infrequently. In early spring when growth begins, they should be supplied with approximately 1 inch of water per week. Once established, rhubarb plants should be watered to a depth of 8 to 10 inches once a week during dry periods, and may not need additional water during wet periods.

Rhubarb (Rheum hybridum 'Valentine') requires full sun for optimal growth and production. It should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If grown in areas of partial shade, it will not produce as much and may not have as good of quality as when grown in full sun. In addition, shading at any time of the day can reduce the vigor and yields of the plant. During the spring and summer, it's best to give Rhubarb at least 10-12 hours of sunlight each day. When temperatures get cooler in the fall and winter, Rhubarb can tolerate as little as 6-8 hours of sunlight.

Rhubarb (Rheum hybridum 'Valentine')should be pruned annually in early spring to promote healthy foliage and vigorous stems. Pruning encourages the rhubarb plant to send up new shoots for harvest. Use sharp garden shears to cut away and discard all branches that are diseased, wilting, or damaged. Cut away any branches and leaves that are weaker than surrounding plants because these can compete for resources like water and soil nutrition, resulting in a weakened plant. Remove any dead material away from the base of the plant down to the crown. Prune away any suckers or water shoots which are thinner stalks that are growing away from the main stalk. As a rule of thumb, always leave 3-4 shoots on each plant and only prune away 1-third of the total leaves at each pruning session.