Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: AlanP on June 03, 2014, 13:01:47

Title: Rhubarb
Post by: AlanP on June 03, 2014, 13:01:47
Mine and another allotment holder are having trouble with Rhubarb, it appears to be dying, the leaves are turning brown and the stems are drooping, no new growth either. If I didn't know better I would say it was blight, but I have never herd of blight on Rhubarb.
Any ideas ladies and gents.

Alan 
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Flighty on June 04, 2014, 11:05:40
It's finished for the season and starting to die back.  It's certainly not blight! 
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 04, 2014, 11:22:19
Rubarb certainly won't die back in June! Where's the water table? The only time I've seen anything like this was during a very wet summer when it was drowning.
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: taurus on June 04, 2014, 17:04:23
Mines done the same this year, so come the autumn all will move to new raised beds at home.   The water table is high here and I've only to dig a spade depth hole and it fills with water at the moment.  Feel like throwing the towel in this year, what with the subs removed,snails/slugs ect and not feeling all that special, I think my get up and go, as got up and gone!!!
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: AlanP on June 04, 2014, 21:21:25
If it is naturally dying back, it has never happened this early before and it isn't water logged, Ill see if I can get a photo tomorrow.

Alan
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: antipodes on June 05, 2014, 10:38:37
I find that often the lower stems if you don't pick them will get brown spots and shrivel. But that is their natural process.
Did they flower? Could you have damaged the crown at all?
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: AlanP on June 05, 2014, 14:04:35
Mmmmmm  :icon_scratch: come to think about it, I haven't had to cut any flowering stems off this year.

I was going to insert a photo, but it doesn't seem to be enabled for me.

Alan
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: Tulipa on June 07, 2014, 10:05:54
Mine is the same, no flowers and drooping early :(
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: strawberry1 on June 07, 2014, 12:41:58
All 3 of mine are the same, plenty damp enough but droopy, limp and looks as though it is just about holding its own. I believe it could well be because the roots have not been cold enough, as well as it being soggy all autumn. I have managed to pick a few stems but I am leaving it now for this year, it is definitely struggling. Water table is ok and soil is ok
Title: Re: Rhubarb
Post by: AlanP on June 25, 2014, 21:45:50
Update, Rhubarb has recovered after been given gallons and gallons of water over a couple of weeks  :icon_cheers:

Alan