Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

In article ,
says...

Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Depends on the age of the roots. Mine usually last about 5-6
years before needing to be trimmed back - I tend to break off
side offsets without disturbing the whole plant if possible. I
left behind two large plants that had been cropping well for at
least 15 years when I moved.

Never pick the stems in the first year is a rule I was always
told, but one root I transplanted some of was so vigourous that
I decided to go ahed and crop - lightly. That cropped well the
next year as well.

--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

In article ,
Roger Tonkin wrote:

Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?

Depends on the age of the roots. Mine usually last about 5-6
years before needing to be trimmed back - I tend to break off
side offsets without disturbing the whole plant if possible. I
left behind two large plants that had been cropping well for at
least 15 years when I moved.

Say, 5-6 years, and I did exactly as you said. My question is
whether I should regard the two weak plants as potentially infected
(or whatever). I can't see any evidence of that, except for the
small number of spindly shoots.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On Sun, 12 Mar 2017 15:08:05 -0000 (UTC), (Nick
Maclaren) wrote:


Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.

Early days yet, in the colder parts of the UK rhubarb are just coming
through

In article ,
says...

In article ,
Roger Tonkin wrote:

Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?

Depends on the age of the roots. Mine usually last about 5-6
years before needing to be trimmed back - I tend to break off
side offsets without disturbing the whole plant if possible. I
left behind two large plants that had been cropping well for at
least 15 years when I moved.

Say, 5-6 years, and I did exactly as you said. My question is
whether I should regard the two weak plants as potentially infected
(or whatever). I can't see any evidence of that, except for the
small number of spindly shoots.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Never heard of any infections in rhubarb, but always a may be!
Assuming you did not force the crowns, which always weakens
them, I would leave them alone, but not pick any stems this
year, unless they get really well ladened.

--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

On 14/03/2017 11:25, Roger Tonkin wrote:
In article ,
says...

In article ,
Roger Tonkin wrote:

Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?

Depends on the age of the roots. Mine usually last about 5-6
years before needing to be trimmed back - I tend to break off
side offsets without disturbing the whole plant if possible. I
left behind two large plants that had been cropping well for at
least 15 years when I moved.

Say, 5-6 years, and I did exactly as you said. My question is
whether I should regard the two weak plants as potentially infected
(or whatever). I can't see any evidence of that, except for the
small number of spindly shoots.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Never heard of any infections in rhubarb, but always a may be!
Assuming you did not force the crowns, which always weakens
them, I would leave them alone, but not pick any stems this
year, unless they get really well ladened.


I know Rhubarb can be prone to virus but its more likely something has
been eating the roots, (check for vine weevil)

--
Charlie Pridham
Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk

In article ,
Charlie Pridham wrote:
On 14/03/2017 11:25, Roger Tonkin wrote:

Never heard of any infections in rhubarb, but always a may be!
Assuming you did not force the crowns, which always weakens
them, I would leave them alone, but not pick any stems this
year, unless they get really well ladened.

Yes, I forced them, but did that to the strong plant, too. I don't
think that there is much point in giving them another chance.

I know Rhubarb can be prone to virus but its more likely something has
been eating the roots, (check for vine weevil)

Or the growing tips. If I dig them up, I will check. Vine weevil
is unlikely here, because it doesn't like frost much, and I have
never seen it - but it's only one of many such pests.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 12/03/2017 15:08, Nick Maclaren wrote:
Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?

I don't know. I have never had anything other than vigorous growth out
of mine on a heavy clay soil. It gets forced most years but then left to
its own devices when we get fed up with rhubarb.

Last year was a bit peculiar with the warm weather as the unforced plant
had new shoots on Xmas day sufficient for rhubarb crumble!!!

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message news
Snip
Or the growing tips. If I dig them up, I will check. Vine weevil
is unlikely here, because it doesn't like frost much, and I have
never seen it - but it's only one of many such pests.

Whoever told you that! I live in the far north of Scotland where winter
temperatures regularly reach -15C and we have a real vine weevil
problem.

Phil



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On 15/03/2017 12:09, Martin Brown wrote:
On 12/03/2017 15:08, Nick Maclaren wrote:
Of my 3 rhubarb plants, all grew fairly well to well last year,
but two of them have put up only a few spindly shoots this year.
I assume that I have to start again, but is that likely to mean
that I need to get new stock (as distinct from taking offsets)?

I don't know. I have never had anything other than vigorous growth out
of mine on a heavy clay soil. It gets forced most years but then left to
its own devices when we get fed up with rhubarb.

Last year was a bit peculiar with the warm weather as the unforced plant
had new shoots on Xmas day sufficient for rhubarb crumble!!!



Sounds to me as if they need a good helping of farmyard manure.
David @ a dull side of Swansea Bay

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