Rhubarb German Wine

On of the sweetest rhubarb varieties. Long, green stalks with dark pink splotches ripen to thick bright red stalks in late spring/early summer with a very sweet flavour. Excellent for baking, preserves, canning, freezing, sauces, wine, and fresh eating. Leaves are toxic. More compact than some of the older varieties. Rhubarb is best grown in full sun and will tolerate a wide variety of soils. Rhubarb can be used as an ornamental in your perennial bed. ******************************************************************************************************************************************** INSTRUCTIONS. Sowing: Sow in late winter to spring or late summer to autumn Soak the seeds in water for a few hours before planting. Plant the seeds in a peaty mixture or into peat pots to making transplanting them easier and then put them in a sunny window. Rhubarb seeds germinate quickly. Position: Good garden drainage is essential in growing rhubarb, planting in raised beds helps ensure against rotting of the crowns. Crowns will have longevity of many years, but because of diseases and insects, it is normal to reset a bed after four to five years Planting out: For spring-sown seedlings, transplant outside when the plants are about 3 to 4in tall. For autumn sown seedlings, plant them outside in early April, as the weather turns warmer. Use a mixture of 50% compost and 50% garden soil. Protect the seedlings from the bright sun. Be careful to not overwater it as rhubarb can get root rot if the ground is too wet. Space 1 meter (36in) apart. Much smaller will seriously crowd the plants, result in a diminished crop and increase the likelihood of spreading disease. A two to three year old plant can easily grow to 1.25m (48in) in diameter and 1m (36in) tall. Plant the roots with the crown bud 5cm (2in) below the surface of the soil. Dig the hole for the crown extra large and mix composted manure or peat moss with the soil to be placed around the roots. Firm the soil around the roots but keep it loose over the buds. Water and fertilise the crowns after planting