Forced rhubarb reportedly grows at a rate of over an inch a day. The speed in which the stems grow is far faster than non-forced rhubarb. Forced rhubarb creates its own distinctive soundtrack of cracking, popping and screeching.
Rhubarb buds cracking open before leaves unfurl actually make a distinctive ‘popping’ sound and the rapid growth of stems causes creaks and groans.
In the sheds of commercial growers, where huge numbers of crowns are packed together and forced in darkness, you can vividly hear these sounds created by the rhubarb growing and rubbing together.