As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that green rhubarb will always remain green. The color of rhubarb stems is determined by the variety and genetics of the plant. While red stems are more commonly desired for their vibrant appearance, green stems are still perfectly edible and have the same tart flavor as their red counterparts.
To obtain rhubarb with red stems, the best approach is to purchase dormant crowns of a high-quality, properly named, red-stemmed variety. These crowns are essentially the root system of the rhubarb plant, and by planting them in your garden, you can ensure that the resulting rhubarb will have the desired red stems.
It’s important to note that attempting to change the color of already established green rhubarb plants is not practical or effective. The color of the stems is determined by the plant’s genetics, which cannot be altered once the plant is mature.
In my experience, I have come across gardeners who have tried various methods such as exposing green rhubarb to sunlight or adding certain nutrients to the soil to encourage red stem growth. However, these methods have proven to be futile, as the color of the stems is determined by the plant’s genetics and not external factors.
While it may be tempting to try and change the color of green rhubarb stems, it’s important to remember that the taste and edibility of rhubarb are not affected by the color of the stems. Green rhubarb can be just as delicious and versatile in cooking as red rhubarb.
The only sure way to obtain rhubarb with red stems is by purchasing dormant crowns of a good quality, properly named, red-stemmed variety. Green rhubarb will always remain green, but it is still perfectly edible and offers the same tart flavor as red rhubarb. So, whether you have green or red rhubarb, enjoy the wonderful flavors and versatility that this versatile plant has to offer.
