rhubarb 'Valentine'

Grow in deep, moist, humus-rich soil. Mulch with manure in spring; avoid covering the crown. Keep watered in dry summers and divide every five years to maintain vigour. See rhubarb cultivation for more detailed advice

Harvest sparingly in the first year. Remove any flowerheads that may develop. Allow the foliage to die back naturally in autumn then cut away the old leaves to expose the growing points to winter cold

Propagate by division of established crowns in late autumn or early spring

May be susceptible to stem and bulb eelworm, swift moth caterpillar, and to slugs and snails on young growth

May be susceptible to honey fungus, downy mildews, grey mould, crown rot and virus diseases