Ive got quite a bit of rhubarb both in the garden, (old stuff split last year) and in the lottie (new plants) but all of it seems to have very thin stalks. The stuff in the garden had very thick stems for the first couple of years, and we try not to pick too heavily from it so its got plenty to draw down for next year.
So my question is what feed does Rhubarb need to get it back to being healthy thick plants
I just dump a bucket of manure over the crown at the end of the year. Seems to work for me!!
Ditto with Barriedalenick
I also put a good mulch of black gold (home made compost ;)) around the emerging stems & a good drink of water to give them a boost
Debs
I support the advice you have already been given, and add the following:
There is a widely held belief that it is impossible to kill rhubarb by over-manuring. From personal experience I agree so long as the FYM is no more than four feet deep and eight feet across (I had an over-enthusiastic misplaced delivery one year). If you want to try more than this you are on your own but I would be interested in any feedback but not in rhubarb I have quite enough thanks.
in response to the original post, I'd say it needs watering as well as feeding!
i add plenty of rich manure each year,blood,fish and bone every other year
i only water mine if they start getting flowerheads,rip them out and flood it with water...
mine does very well,but i think the placement of mine is key,its right next to my greenhouse in its deep trench so gets plenty of heat.
never been forced
Water, water, water. ;)
Yes, water, definitely and a good dressing of rich compost every couple of weeks, I find they like too.