You shouldn't harvest rhubarb in the first year after you have transplanted it or have split the root system so that the plant can put all it's energy into establishing a good root system.

However, if you find any stems rotting towards the end of the season they should be removed and placed on the compost heap.

Rhubarb is also a heavy feeder, I planted mine in the ground where my old compost was buried and it grew enormously.  Nice big thick stems.  Problem was that everyone then wanted some of it to grow.

Meant to say that the  top bit should have said the stems aren't poisonous only the leaves.  The reason is the roots need time to establish in the ground and if you pick the leaves it puts the effort into making more leaves rather than settling the roots in the ground.

Also in the summer I place straw around it to keep the roots cool and winter to stop any frost and keep it warm.

Thanks, Sandi,  the only reason I have this Heliconia in a big pot is because I did read where they can run and end up coming up all over the place and I did not want that to happen -- I really want to be able to put it in the garden -- as  but will have to see if I can get some more info on it.

Is that a name for Bird of Paradise PlanB?

We planted one and it didn't do anything so we dug it up.

Never tried one down here PB.  They are tropical and I have grown ginger but because I pick it have never had flowers on it, so don't know how it would go.

Think it would be too hot for Heliconias in SA as they like moist soil and the soil dries out quickly in our heat.

Heliconia Growing Conditions. Lobster claw plant thrives in either partial shade or full sun locations. The soil must be well draining, but fertile and moist. Potted plants will do well in a mixture of equal parts soil, fine wood mulch and peat moss.

Bird of Paradise is Stelitzia reginae

Container grown plants will bloom more profusely if kept slightly pot bound. Repotting too often can inhibit the flowering of bird of paradise blooms for up to two years. Instead, you should simply topdress the plant with fresh potting soil in spring.

Grow bird of paradise in soil that drains well. Root rot can occur if the soil retains too much water. For a potted plant, use a high-quality potting mix. Outdoors, incorporate 2 or 3 inches of compost into the soil at planting time.

This is a good Australian site

http://www.flowerpower.com.au/gardening/bird-of-paradise-strelitzia/

A site I find very useful, although it is American and you have to adjust for our seasons, it consists of gardeners with practical knowledge that have contributed to make this site and make instructions that are clear and easy to follow.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-an-exotic-flower-like-none-other.htm

Thank you all-- I have Bird of Paradises growing madly -- but I bought a Heliconia last year and have it in a pot -- never grown  them b4 -- have heard they can go quite crazy and come up in other places --spread -- and don't want to risk that -- I just love the look of the flowers on them though

PB there are some really beautiful plants of that variety, lots of different flowers.

Another plant you might like, which grows well in pots is Epiphyllums.  The Zygo Cactus is one of the family, but there are some extremely beautiful ones.

Go here to have a look at some, very easy to grow

https://au.pinterest.com/1flowernut/epiphyllum/?lp=true

No Attila Bird of Paradise is totaly different plant -- I have 2 of these  and they are growing well and have been for 40 years

LOL

I used to do floral arrangements!

Thanks Sandi.

They look nice in the bunch with the cream, pink and purple ones.

They look a bit like Astors!

Having a war at our property!  The snails and the catterpillars!

http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/faqs/ident.html

Husband had to get the big guns out and spray, I think he will need to do it for 3 consecutive weeks to break their cycle.  The snails are drunk, I have them a plastic saucer of beer!

Some were making an escape over the wall so I caught them, some are climbing higher onto the plant! So I got them, also snail pellets.  The creatures are eating the hearts out of the plants.  Trouble is I don't want the birds to die.   I just wish the Blackbirds would have come along and sorted everyone out!!

LOL..............  Yes our chinese tallow looks a bit thin at the moment, we planted it a year ago and it has grown a 1m already. I just hope we can keep it alive till next year.

Falling leaves Sandi remind me of the Bob a Job in the Brownies and Girl Guides it was always when the trees shed their leaves and I was given lots of jobs of sweeping those darn leaves up for one shilling!  LOL

I wish a few inches would fall off when I sweep the leaves up....

Oh  thats sad....when I put seedlings or any plant in I give the hole a little bit of cow manure to send their roots after their first foods.

Talking of seedlings, the last few years I find the punnets seem to have one square missing a plant!       I wonder if this is done by machine these days, putting a seed in the punnet holes I mean.

That is a good idea Hola, thank you.

I get a guy in to do my lawns. Lucky for me he is a fully-qualified horticulturalist who specialised in roses for years. He pruned mine right back in April/May and they're flowering again now due to warm dry weather up here. He or I will prune them back lightly after this flowering is over, probably in 3/4 weeks time.

Do you have a semi tropical climate where you live RnR?