Marianne's Response

Rhubarb needs to be thinned?

The house we moved into three years ago came with a rhubarb plant in a raised bed. I have no idea how old it is. I harvested some decent stalks last year, but most were smaller, about the size of my pinky. I cut all of the stalks off, not knowing any better but the plant came back just fine this year. However the stalks appear to be getting smaller and more stringy this year. I’m not sure if seeds were left in the past and it’s new plants that are growing or if it’s the same plant just popping up with new stalks. I have been cutting off the stalks when they begin to flower. Any suggestions on how to improve the health of the plant(s)? Does some of it need to be transplanted?

Posted by Morgan Hooke on May 21, 2020

Marianne's Response

The poor thing does indeed look weak and it could be due to being young but I also suspect it needs more manure and fertilizer. Wait until early spring or late fall to dig in and divide if you suspect  it is a large plant that needs division. I would add some Osmocote fertilizer around the base of the plant now and also add a steer manure mulch this summer. Leave the foliage and stems and do not harvest this year. Next spring layer on more manure very early when you see crocus in bloom. This should beef up those stems but if not wait another year before you harvest. Rhubarb generally does not need dividing or much fertilizer and is an easy care perennial as long as you do not overharvest. Removing the flowering spikes in the summer is a good idea. Don't give up - I just harvested from my own rhubarb plant and am enjoying delicious rhubarb cake with my coffee. Thanks for the timely question. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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