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Valencia Spain

In all varieties of rhubarb, the green leaves are toxic. They contain a substance called oxalic acid crystals

is oxalic acid any good for the soil for pumpkins, im thinking for next year if i should put the leaves in the soil

4/28/2012 1:57:11 PM

Central Ca

found this on the internet. "Oxalic acid plays an important role in improving the bioavailability of soil nutrients."

4/29/2012 2:25:28 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

Amelio brought this up a while ago but most people thought he was crazy. Take him off ignore and do a search for oxalic acid if you want learn more about it.

4/29/2012 6:33:18 AM

Valencia Spain

thanks

4/29/2012 8:08:07 AM

Valencia Spain

i looked it up and doesnt mention soil, says used as a bleach, rust remover, but nothing about using it in soil

4/29/2012 8:21:53 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=419103

4/29/2012 8:37:43 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=20&p=421416

4/29/2012 8:38:24 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I can't find any true studies on this. I know that things don't like to grow around the rhubarb

4/29/2012 6:24:32 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

There isn't a lot of information out there and the little bit posted here on PB isn't useful in terms of practical application. I would be a little wary of playing with rhubarb leaves in my soil. There are other proven methods of improving nutrient bioavailability.

4/29/2012 7:16:59 PM

Prince Edward, Ontario ([email protected])

It might be, I did some research and everything seems to come back to the oxalic acid mentioned above.

As well as being extremely poisonous to humans, it can be used as a insecticide (www.ecologicagardens.com/#/rhubarb-pesticide/4532666369). Also, it is supposed to store calcium when produced and contained within the plant (www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/4070fact.pdf) (bottom of pg 2). However, it seems to decompose/break apart quickly (both in the presence of air and without it) when it is not diluted/reacted in water(same report) (like when the leaves of rhubarb are composted). I did not look into the idea of inreasing bio-availability though.

Overall, it might make a good insecticide for those in areas where it is not easy to get other chemicals. But as far as being good for the soil/plant, I believe it may only be of use to plants that naturally produce it. However, I also think it may be something that needs to be looked into further (might be the new bud syrup :) )

Glen

4/29/2012 8:23:16 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Oxalic acid is in our special brick cleaning solutions. It's also may be responsible for my kidney stones. Ouch! I can't find anything about rhubarb affecting plants though. Rhubarb grows like weeds around here. I think it chokes everything out not that it poisons the other plants. There are bigger and better sources of leaves for soil.

4/29/2012 8:32:34 PM

Valencia Spain

yeh well its not like ived got a lot of rhubarb, so i wont use it, i just wondered about it thats all
thanks for your answers

4/30/2012 2:49:36 PM

Waynesboro, Virginia

Dear Amelio, I hope we don't eat too much swiss chard.We can and freeze many different vegetables, so we have a nice variety to eat over the winter.It was just nice having the chard fresh over the winter for the first time.You might want to say something to my Burmese sweetheart Kimmy though.She's eating 3 and 4 king chili peppers with her dinner.She loves them and eats them almost every meal.I don't see how she does it.Way too hot for me.....lol.

4/30/2012 3:22:44 PM

Huntsville Texas

comfrey has deep roots, large leaves, and makes excellent compost

4/30/2012 9:20:59 PM