Rhubarb

[GrowerNewbie]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question....

My rhubarb has been growing nicely all summer and has been fine - not picked any stalks yet as I know you're supposed to leave it at least a year to settle before taking a crop but.....

All of a sudden the leaves have turned yellow! Could itbe crown rot? If so I can't understand it as it's been where it is for months and being growing without any problems - so what do I do now?

[Rosendula]

I'm not a rhubarb expert, but isn't it just dying off for the winter? Mine disappears completely, so make sure you know exactly where it is so you don't accidentally dig it up.

[oldjerry]

Rosey's right,all is well,in fact double right mark it with a stick.when it finally disappears,give it a dressing of W\R fym or compost.In a couple of years when it's really well established and you split it ,this is a good time to cover a crown or two and force them.

[phil55494]

Hi, that sounds like it's just the leaves dying back for the winter. Our rhubarb has already done that for this year.
To answer your question about what to do now, just clear up the leaves and stalks as they fall and then leave the crown to do it's stuff and wait till next spring when it should start growing again.

[GrowerNewbie]

Phew!

Glad to hear it..... I googled 'Rhubarb yellow leaves' and got all sorts of stuff about 'crown rot'!

Was getting worried!

Thanks Guys :)

[MKG]

Been growing rhubarb for donkey's years. I've never treated it as in any way special - no feeds, no extra watering, no nothing. It just grows ... and grows. And every year, the remaining leaves yellow off and die. That's what rhubarb does. To be honest, I'd completely ignore anyone who tells you that rhubarb has to have any kind of special treatment. I've never managed to kill it.

Just do the normal lift and divide with very mature crowns, and you've got rhubarb for life (and therefore rhubarb crumble and rhubarb wine). Heaven!!!!

Mike

[oldjerry]

But cover a couple of crowns up and get your crumble a few weeks earlier!

[Denzle]

Just cover it over with a good spread of manure, it will work wonders for next year.

[cocobelle]

I have to agree with Mike, no special requirements for this delicious vegetable (although I regard it as a fruit....) have to say though it does make me very gassy which cant be good for the environment......