Topic: Rhubarb Leaves 'Burn' Marks ?

[mikey]

two neighbours on our Lottie have problems with their Rhubarb:

The leaves have large 'brown' marks on them, some leaves are completely covered and shrivelled, just like they have been burned.

I checked our own Crowns today and there is a slight sign on only one leaf.

a) all Crowns are mature (at least three year) our own is cropping like crazy
b) the Plots run, roughly West to East on a hillside which slopes upwards from the South end.
c) to the West of all 3 plots there is a mature Hawthorn hedge, +/- 15 to 20 ft high, many of the bushes are Tree sized.
d) the ground is damp but not waterlogged, we have had some steady night time rain over the last 8/10 days
e) today's temperature at Noon was circa 22 C
f) understand that last Monday, early morning, temp was 4 C

Lottie experts have no explanation, consensus seems to be 'Rhubarb does not have disease or pest problems'

Any ideas please

Cheers

[jennym]

Have had one or two leaves like this myself, but seems nothing to worry about as the plants look really good now after having removed those leaves. There are a couple of fungal diseases that attack rhubarb leaves, but as long as you get in quick and remove the affected leaves there isn't usually a big problem.