Confused about my rhubarb plant

[momto4plus4]

It's growing wonderfully. BUT, we didn't harvest it last year because the stems never turned red. I thought they needed to be red??? If not, how do you know when they're ready?

And, if we didn't harvest last year, is this year any good? I'm SO confused.

We've been cutting off the seed stalks before they produce but otherwise it's been growing wild.

[Laurienna]

There are 2 varieties of rhubarb: red and green. Mine is green and grows all season long. I pull (you shouldn't cut it... you can introduce disease doing that) the stalks when they are big enough to use. You probably have green rhubarb too

[littlest birds]

Mine is green too with just a sort of blush of red color. If your rhubarb hasn't been red before it isn't going to be. I think it can be harvested any time. The flavor might be different when it is older or if it has bolted (like other plants?) but we use ours only a little and I haven't noticed differences. I think the stems seem a little more fibrous later in the season so for me I was coposting a lot more because of the tough texture but plenty of it seemed easily used even then. Not harvesting last year just leaves the plant stronger this year.

[kriket]

I have Victoria something-something, not Canadian red. It's mostly green with a little pinkish red at the bottom.

Here are pic of "Valentine" which is red and Victoria http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/rhubarb/

[momto4plus4]

Thank you so much for your help! My mom and I kept googling rhubarb but couldn't find an answer to coloration & harvesting. Mine does have a blush of red at the bottom so I bet you're all right that it's the green kind! YEAH, now I can go try it out!

[impchild]

my mom's rule of thumb is that it is bigger than your thumb and firm. if both are true, have at!