Rheum "Cally Giant"

[mickeymuc]

Hello Everyone,

As we moved and finally have areasonabl large garden I am very much tempted to plant the above species just from the description I've read. Does anyone grow thie plant and can comment on it or even provide a photo? Is it promising to try to grow it from seed or shout I order plants (and pay terrible p&p as the plant is only available in GB)?
Thank you!

Kind regards,

Michael

[arisaema]

You could just order seeds from Chiltern: http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_1090g_rheum_cally_giant_seeds

[Maggi Young]

Michael, I'd try for seed.
Only two Scottish nurseries have the plant :  Cally Gardens and Binny Plants and I really don't know how such a large plant could be siccessfully shipped, even dormant. 

[mickeymuc]

Hi there, and thank you for your comments!
I've seen the offer at Chilternseeds and I'd try the seeds, but of course I'm impatient (and not sure about how well Rheum seed stores) - and would like to see (or hear about) the plant before sowing it.
However, from the description I think it must be a great substitute for Gunnera, which don't really grow here due to hard winter frost.
Let's see if somebody has this species and can say something about it...

Michael

p.s. Maggie, I think even a fat dormant rhizome (of a young plant, surely), can be easily shipped if time and frost are no big issues....I'll let you know what will happen

[mickeymuc]

Hi there, and thank you for your comments!
I've seen the offer at Chilternseeds and I'd try the seeds, but of course I'm impatient (and not sure about how well Rheum seed stores) - and would like to see (or hear about) the plant before sowing it.
However, from the description I think it must be a great substitute for Gunnera, which don't really grow here due to hard winter frost.
Let's see if somebody has this species and can say something about it...

Michael

p.s. Maggie, I think even a fat dormant rhizome (of a young plant, surely), can be easily shipped if time and frost are no big issues....I'll let you know what will happen

p.p.s.: Maybe this plant would be one more good reason for a trip to Scotland 

[Maggi Young]

Maybe so, Michael!


I'll see if I know anyone who could pick up a plant for you, get it handed over to me ( I'm 150 miles away!) and I'll send it, if it is possible  

[mickeymuc]

Wow, Maggie,

Thank you a lot, that's lovely! But please don't make big efforts, I'm sure the Rheum will be no problem from seed and grow fast....however, a plant would be lovely