I need rhubarb education please!

[Mykittensmittens]

Hello
I was gifted by a friend of my parents two rhubarb crowns. They come from their established rhubarb patch on an allotment. I don’t know these people directly to ask the question….

I have put the crowns that already had some signs of growth in a massive pot until the raised bed by husband is building is ready (2-3 weeks away at least). I put a bucket over the rhubarb and left well alone, for 2 weeks.

I’ve had a look today and they’re massive!!!

Two stalks on one crown with healthy leaves which are unfurling and one stalk and leaf on the other.

What do I do now? Take the bucket off?

I transplanted my rhubarb last month from the garden to my bit of land and it has woken up, I’m glad to say, with red crown showing, and new leaves. I won't harvest any this year.
I’ve never forced it. People do that to get an earlier harvest, do they?

@Giggorata

I transplanted my rhubarb last month from the garden to my bit of land and it has woken up, I’m glad to say, with red crown showing, and new leaves. I won't harvest any this year. I’ve never forced it. People do that to get an earlier harvest, do they?

forcing it does get an earlier harvest. But forced stems are also often young and sweet and less stringy.

Had to move ours last year as it was developing triffid tendencies so DS couldn't get in and out of the car!

A lot of stealth rhubarb boasting on this thread

@hoochyhag

A lot of stealth rhubarb boasting on this thread

Unforgettable phrase 😂