Rhubarb
Question from Lorraine:
What is the best variety of rhubarb to plant in the San Diego area? I read somewhere that there is one type that grows well here. Thanks.
Answer from Pat:
I do not believe in growing rhubarb in San Diego. (See pages 73 and 74 of my organic book and other pages given in the index.) In my opinion rhubarb does not get enough winter chill here to make it safe to grow and eat. Also it often rots and dies here in summer since it cannot go into a proper dormancy. If you lived in Ramona or a cold pocket it would be all right.
Pat,
Can you please explain your statement “Rhubarb does not get enough winter chill here to make it safe to grow and eat.” I currently grow rhubarb in my garden in Hermosa Beach and have used it several times and the plants came from the Fallbrook area.
My opinions on rhubarb are controversial and I probably worded them too strongly. Rhubarb contains a lot of oxalic acid, which is not good for people with gout and it also can lead to kidney stones when eaten by people who are susceptible to them. The leaves of rhubarb are poisonous and can and have killed people if cooked and eaten. When the stems are green they contain more than the usual amount of oxalic acid and can give some people physical problems. The best rhubarb stems are pink, not green. These stems are picked early in spring when the plants come out of dormancy and send up new shoots. We never get good rhubarb like that to grow in gardens here because the climate keeps the plants green year round. The main problem with growing rhubarb here is that it is not suited to our climate. It needs to be cold enough in winter to go into proper dormancy. Due to the lack of proper dormancy the roots often rot in summer heat. But if you have no problem growing it go ahead and enjoy it. I think part of my prejudice against rhubarb is caused by the fact that one has to add so much sugar to make it palatable.
Hello fellow Rhubarb lovers, It is my opinion that Rhubarb will and is doing well 2 blocks from the beach in Santa Monica. It is thriving and as I write this it is cold outside it dips down in the 40’s and with the damp soil the chill factor is colder. I never heard of rhubarb not being safe to eat if it doesn’t get enough winter chill. I have over 20 years of horticulture experience and 10 years as head gardener at the Huntington Library and Botanical gardens. I grow an heirloom variety with red stems, no name and I also grow ‘Victoria’ with green, red tint stems from seed years ago. It only rots if you cut off the stem, it needs to be twisted off.
Kat
Thank you for sharing your experiences and opinions on growing rhubarb. I am glad you have success with it.