ailing rhubarb - Ask Extension
My rhubarb bolted earlier this year. Now the leaves are large but stalks are thin and no red color. It has new growth but looks sickly.
Knowledgebase
ailing rhubarb #569075
Asked June 10, 2019, 3:49 PM EDT
My rhubarb bolted earlier this year. Now the leaves are large but stalks are thin and no red color. It has new growth but looks sickly.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
How old is the plant? I have lots of rhubarb in my yard and it does need to be lifted and divided periodically. Rhubarb is considered a heavy feeder so fertilizing with organic lawn fertilizer (no weed & feed). It prefers slightly acidic soil conditions (5.5-6.5) which is likely not a problem around here. It also needs well-drained soil.
I would recommend in the fall that you lift the crown and divide it or simply divide it and share the rest with gardening friends.
OSU extension has this article for overall care https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec797/html
and I also found this article from Purdue about how to deal with boltinghttps://extension.purdue.edu/article/32092
I would recommend in the fall that you lift the crown and divide it or simply divide it and share the rest with gardening friends.
OSU extension has this article for overall care https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec797/html
and I also found this article from Purdue about how to deal with boltinghttps://extension.purdue.edu/article/32092