Q: I'm growing rhubarb in my garden in Philadelphia, and I would like to use a rhubarb forcer. I've seen beautiful terracotta forcers on British websites. I tried ordering a forcer from Britain but I was turned away by the cost of shipping and the impracticality of shipping such a fragile object on such a long trip. I was wondering if any Re-Nest readers know where I can buy one in the States...? I checked Etsy to no avail. I also tried every combination of searches on Google that I can dream up. I have used a turned upside down pot, and while it has worked, it isn't as lovely as a proper rhubarb forcer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sent by Heather
Editor: Readers, suggestions for Heather?
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(Image: Ruardean Pottery)
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Have you thought of finding a local potter or pottery club and getting them to make some for you? Or even better, make them yourself.. :)
In a pinch you can also use regular terracotta pots, put them over the plant with the 'saucer' on top.
Maybe just try a different kind of pot? The tall tom pots might be a good (although not as pretty/curvy) option for you there, if you want terracotta. Or go to the local thrift store and find a cool but cheap urn to flip upside down!
I know you were looking for a proper forcing pot, but... just a few other ideas. :)
I think krl2876 has the idea - find large, unglazed terracotta pots that approximate the rhubarb forcers' dimensions. Use them inverted, with their water trays also on the top to block the air.
Not as elegant as the Brits' versions, but should do as a substitute. The on ein the photo above is quite nice!
I submitted this question. Thank you for your help and thank you to Re-Nest for posting it. I've tried an upside down terracotta pot but it doesn't do much for my garden aesthetically. I would try to make one but I don't have a kiln. Funny that you would suggest that as I was a ceramics major in college.
That's funny! You know, djheather1979, I quickly checked the Guy Wolff website to see if he might have something since he is so stylish with the pots. And even though he doesn't carry one if you look closely at the background picture on his website there is one in the garden that is depicted. It drove me nuts that he would have one there peeking out at me in the background, but not a word of one offered on his site!
Good luck in finding one stateside, maybe this would be a good reason to take a continuing ed. pottery class :)
Not sure how much you're looking to spend, but these showed up on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380229465895&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=1daf1ced1280a0aad481fe91ff11e035&itemid=380229465895&ff4=263602_263622
Thanks chillrepute but I think my husband may get a bit upset about my spending $178 on a rhubarb forcer. After considering all of your advice I decided to use etsy.com. I added an alchemy request and already received a response. This is my first time trying alchemy on etsy (I haven't tried to transform metal into gold either) so wish me luck.