Rhubarb Rheum × hybridum 'Hawke's Champagne'

Water

For rhubarb, particularly the 'Hawke's Champagne' variety, it is essential to maintain a consistent moisture level in the soil, especially during the growing season. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water which roughly translates to 0.6 gallons for an average-sized plant. During periods of extreme heat or drought, you may need to water more frequently to ensure the soil does not dry out completely. Be cautious not to overwater, as rhubarb does not fare well in soggy or waterlogged conditions. Always check the top few inches of soil for dryness before each watering.

Light

Rhubarb, including the 'Hawke's Champagne' variety, thrives in a location that receives full sun for at least six to eight hours a day. The best spot would be in a garden area that is exposed to ample sunlight, avoiding shaded or heavily wooded areas. Ensure that the plant is not overshadowed by taller plants or structures that might block the sunlight.

Temperature

Rhubarb, such as the 'Hawke's Champagne' cultivar, prefers cooler climates and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F without significant damage. The ideal temperature range for growing rhubarb is between 40°F and 75°F. Rhubarb plants may struggle in environments with high temperatures exceeding 90°F, and extra care should be taken to provide adequate water and shade to prevent overheating.

Pruning

Pruning your rhubarb, the 'Hawke's Champagne' variety, involves removing flower stalks as they appear to redirect the plant's energy back into stalk and leaf development. This should be done as soon as you notice the flower stalks emerging. In terms of timing, rhubarb should be pruned during its active growth phase in spring and early summer. The plant doesn't need a lot of pruning aside from this, making maintenance rather straightforward.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Rhubarb 'Hawke's Champagne' is a well-draining, fertile mixture with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. The soil pH should ideally be between 6.0 and 6.8, which is slightly acidic to neutral. Ensuring that the soil is rich and moist will promote healthy growth and development.

Repotting

Rhubarb 'Hawke's Champagne' doesn’t typically require repotting as it is usually grown outdoors. If grown in containers, it should be replanted every few years in the spring into a larger pot to provide sufficient room for growth.

Humidity & Misting

Rhubarb 'Hawke's Champagne' grows best in an outdoor environment with natural humidity levels. It does not have specific humidity requirements and tends to be quite hardy, but it thrives in the humidity levels typically found in temperate regions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure ample light, cool temperatures, and large container for indoor Rhubarb.

• Outdoor

  Plant in fertile soil, sun to part shade, and water regularly for outdoor Rhubarb.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Rheum × hybridum 'Hawke's Champagne', commonly known as garden rhubarb, begins its life cycle with seed germination, in which the seeds require cool temperatures to break dormancy and sprout. Following germination, the seedlings grow into young plants establishing a strong root system, and by the second year, they form large leaves and stout petioles; however, harvest of stalks typically starts in the third year when the plant is fully established. During the spring and early summer of each subsequent year, the garden rhubarb enters a rapid vegetative growth phase, producing large, edible stalks and leaves. After reaching maturity, the rhubarb may produce inconspicuous greenish-white to red flowers on tall stalks, although flowering can reduce the vigor for stalk production. To encourage robust growth, flower stalks are often removed. Eventually, as the growing season ends, the plant enters dormancy during the winter, with the leaves dying back and the plant conserving energy in the roots for the next season's growth.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for the plant commonly known as Rhubarb, specifically the Rheum × hybridum 'Hawke's Champagne' variety, is through crown division. This vegetative method is typically performed in early spring as the plant emerges from dormancy or in the fall after the leaves have died back. You should dig up the entire plant, taking care to preserve as much of the root system as possible. The crown, which is the upper part of the root where the shoots develop, should be divided into sections using a sharp knife or spade, ensuring each section has at least one bud or eye. These divisions can then be replanted into well-prepared soil, spaced about 3 to 4 feet apart (which is roughly 0.9 to 1.2 meters), to allow enough room for growth. This method allows the rhubarb to retain its varietal characteristics and ensures a quicker establishment compared to starting from seed.