Variety

Rhubarb Sunrise

Synonyms : Early Sunrise

Early Sunrise - very similar to McDonald's but the vigor is moderately less; the red is intense.

Developed by Experimental Station, CanadaDept. Agriculture, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Parentage: Derived from ‘Ruby’, open-pollinated. Characteristics: Large and vigorous variety; stems much thicker than ‘Ruby’; rapid production of seed stalks; very satisfying to force. Similar: to MacDonald but with a much better red color. 1946.

Petiole color : Dark red
Origin : Canada
Year : 1946
Developed by : Experimental station, agriculture department, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Last update : 2025-07-02

Quotes about Sunrise

1939 — Originated at Dominion Experiment Station, Kentville, Nova Scotia. Stalks are reported to be thicker and more robust than 'its parent Ruby, to be well-flavored, and colored right to the leaves.
Source : Rhubarb in Alberta, J.S. Shoemaker, 1939

2002 — Early Sunrise - very similar to Mcdonald but vigour is moderately less; red is intense.
Source : Rhubarb Production in Alberta - Agri-Facts, Alberta Agriculture, Food And Rural Development - Agdex, 2002

2012 — Pink, popular for forcing. Reportedly selected in the 1940s.
Source : Horticultural Reviews, Volume 40 - Wiley-Blackwell - 2012, Thomas M. Gradziel, Kim E. Hummer, Paolo Inglese, 2012

2016 — Sunrise (Early Sunrise) – Breeder: Experimental Station, Canada Dept. Agriculture, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Parentage: Derived from ‘Ruby’, open–pollinated. Characteristics: Large, vigorous variety; stalks much thicker than ‘Ruby’; quick to produce seedstalks; very satisfactory for forcing. Similar: to MacDonald but with much better red color. 1946.
Source : Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America – Rhubarb, Todd C. Wehner, Jeanine M. Davis and George B. Cox - Department of Horticultural Science North Carolina State University, 2016

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