On Fri, 14 May 2004 21:27:16 -0500, "B & J"
wrote:

"Kayla" wrote in message
...
I have had a rhubarb plant for years and it isn't doing anythin. At
most I will get about 4 stalks to make a pie. I have tried splitting
it but now I have 2 small plants. I add composted manure. Should I
buy a new plant or keep trying with this one?

Lori

Rhubarb is not a plant you can plant and use the same year. Your problem
appears to be that you are harvesting every stalk from your small plants as
soon as they are large enough to use. Rhubarb is like asparagus and should
not be harvested until the third season after planting and then only
sparingly that year. That gives the plant a chance to develop a good root
system, which is turn increases the following year's crop. After that,
harvest no more than half the stalks, leaving enough stalks to sustain a
good root system for the following year's crop. And yes, you should remove
flower stalks as they appear.

John

On 5/14/04 8:10 PM, in article ,
"Kayla" wrote:

I hate to say this but the plant is about 10 years old and I split it
about 5 years ago. I only take 4 stalks out but leave as many on the
plant. Today I cut out the flower stalk.
Lori

Lots of good ideas here, this is mine...I hope it works!
My parents had some rhubarb plants that were there for years and years.
They were stunted runts with barely a leaf, then all of a sudden they
started to grow like they should! Big thick stalks and large leaves.
The reason? There was a broken water pipe and the ground was damp, damp
damp.
So, try giving the plants a lot more water.
Gary
Fort Langley BC
Canada