This year, one of my rhubarb plants has changed in appearance. The stalk it produces is, in cross section, a thin crescent shape, rather
than the usual thick stalk, and the outer skin of the plant has become rough and almost "warty" in feel and appearance.
I wonder if it is reverting to its native plant type? Has anyone on this forum any information or advice for me?
Peter
Do you think it could be a virus infention?
On the other hand it cold be this years sdverse weather :)
You could leave it to see what it does next year and if it is the same as now remove it replacing it with a healthy division from one of your other plants.
Quote from: petefj on August 26, 2012, 08:20:14
This year, one of my rhubarb plants has changed in appearance. The stalk it produces is, in cross section, a thin crescent shape, rather
than the usual thick stalk, and the outer skin of the plant has become rough and almost "warty" in feel and appearance.
I wonder if it is reverting to its native plant type? Has anyone on this forum any information or advice for me?
Peter
Peter Two questions
How old is the rhubarb and do you have it encased to force it.
Quote from: davyw1 on August 27, 2012, 14:41:18
Quote from: petefj on August 26, 2012, 08:20:14
This year, one of my rhubarb plants has changed in appearance. The stalk it produces is, in cross section, a thin crescent shape, rather
than the usual thick stalk, and the outer skin of the plant has become rough and almost "warty" in feel and appearance.
I wonder if it is reverting to its native plant type? Has anyone on this forum any information or advice for me?
Peter
Peter Two questions
How old is the rhubarb and do you have it encased to force it.
The plant in question is about 3 years of age, and it was forced earlier this year. But now growing "au naturel".
Peter
The only thing i can come up with as the plant is young is they have been grown in an area that is to warm, my first thoughts were that the plant may be more than ten years old and the crown is becoming crowded idealy you should have only 4 or 5 growing buds on, if you have more then that may be the problem.
Quote from: davyw1 on August 29, 2012, 12:19:24
The only thing i can come up with as the plant is young is they have been grown in an area that is to warm, my first thoughts were that the plant may be more than ten years old and the crown is becoming crowded idealy you should have only 4 or 5 growing buds on, if you have more then that may be the problem.
It's looking very strange. I think I'll lift it and bin it. In appearance it looks more like a wild rhubarb than a cultivated plant.
Peter
Rhubarb does not revert to a wild type. Without, at least, a picture, it is almost impossible to diagnose a malady for sure. Your plant may be recovering from being forced. Has it been mulched with any form of compost ( see the Aminopyralid thread) ? It has been a funny season and irregular and/or excess moisture can cause unusual bumps on stems and leaves.
Rhubarb is a deep rooted plant that resents disruption. Was your plant forced insitu or was it in a pot and subsequently transplanted ?