News:

Picture posting is enabled for all :)

Main Menu

Rhubarb

Started by Bath_Bun, May 25, 2005, 14:43:50

Previous topic - Next topic

Bath_Bun

I have two rhubarb crowns on my allotment, one is nearly 3 years old and the other 2 years old.  The older one of the two produced a fab crop last year.

I mulched with well rotted manure over winter and both crowns started well this season.  Now I am getting lots of stems but they are very thin and don't bulk up at all.  This means I am getting very little in the way of crop.  I have fed both a couple of weeks ago but although the leaves are getting large the stalks are not really increasing in size.  The site is absolutely fine, well drained and like I say both were fine last year.  The older one of the two doesn't look large enough to divide yet.

Any ideas?

Bath_Bun


Mrs Ava

Maybe they are overfed, producing lush leaves rather than chunky stems?

I like the long slender stems, but I don't need pounds and pounds of the stuff as it is only me (and my darling Ava occasionally) that eats it.  Mind you, it made fab bub and angelica jam!

David R

Quote from: Bath_Bun on May 25, 2005, 14:43:50
The older one of the two produced a fab crop last year.

Maybe a crop too good?  Perhaps the feed does not make up for taking too much. Did you crop any after mid July? If so that might do it

return of the mac

Yup- too much nitrogen probs- i dont think you really need to feed rhubarb- theres some at the bottom of my neighbours plot that everyone helps themselves to- its rampaging about with no assistance.
Maybe worth dividing the crowns also?
I LOVE OP AMPS!

undercarriage plan

Having had a similar problem myself the last few weeks, I decided to water and water and then water again!  The result has been amazing! Loads of fresh new stems, lovely!! Back to stewed rhubarb and rice krispies...!  Lottie

Merry Tiller

Have you tried it with cornflakes? Wow

chrispea27

never tried that but I will now!
Chris Pea

Lady Cosmos

Cannot believe overfeeding is the case.
Rhubarb grows often neglected but the most fruit you will get if the plants are at a sunny spot, every year  a layer of manure or compost.
New plants : do not pick any sticks within 18 months.
Put manure over the crowns during winter.
feed in summer with liquid fertilizer.
Take the flowers away.
Do not pick after july
And keep the rhubarb well, well watered.
Still time enough to get big juicy stalks when you start to give them plenty of water.

Bath_Bun

Thanks everyone, doesn't look as though I am doing too much wrong.  It hasn't stopped raining down here in Bath until today so lack of water is certainly not the problem.  I will try leaving it alone for a while to see if the current heat will help bring it on.  Thanks for all your advice

raisedbedted

Our allotment master digs up his crowns each winter and leaves them on top of the soil to get fully frosted before replanting them in the early spring.

Mind you I havent asked him if he likes Rhubarb!

Anyone else heard of this?
Best laid plans and all that

Robert_Brenchley

Given the weedy little things my formerly luxurious crown have turned into after being replanted last winter, I wouldn't even try it! Leave it be, and give it a good grass mulch every year.

smartie

I remember my dad used to have some rhubarb at the end of his veg patch in the garden when I was a kid. It was in the neglected patch where all the junk got dumped. He never did anything to it, but it just grew and grew giving us many delicious desserts every year! ;D

Meg

MM I have heard of the digging up and letting frost get to roots. Is that making work for yourself I don't know :D
Marigold

Robert_Brenchley

My roots have been in for five years, and it was a real struggle getting them out of the ground. I wouldn't want to lift them unnecessarily, even if I was convinced it wouldn't harm the plant. You should see the size of them.

Powered by EzPortal