I have grown rhubard very successfully in two separate patches in my fruit border for about three years. As it was about time to dig them up and divide the roots, I decided to try some new varieties. The old ones only produced green stems so I bought two new crowns of varieties that claimed to produce red stems.

I planted the new crowns in January and a few weeks later they both produced stems and seemed to be growing well. However, over the last few weeks, as far as I can tell, one had died and the other appears to be doing so too. What have I done wrong? Was it a mistake to plant the new crowns in the same place as the old?

Martin.

Hello Martin
This is very strange. I'm a big rhubarb fan and periodically divide up my largest crowns and replanted them in the same place. I've never had any problems.
As it is probably a 'down below' problem, the only thing that I can suggest is that you dig up your plants and carefully examine what's there. I would cut away any dead or dying root and plant up any live material (this will need to have a growing point on it) in a large pot of mp compost. Hopefully you will be able to nurse it back into growth with careful watering and feeding.
If this works then plant out from the pots in spring of next year.
Hope this helps
John

PS Were the crowns that you bought rather feeble to start with?

They looked okay to me (considering it was winter and they were dormant). They were purchased from a reputable seed company and they were in the ground with days of them arriving in the post.

I shall do as you suggest and have a look at the roots.

Martin.

PS The varieties were Stockbridge Arrow & Champagne.

Hello Martin
SA is a superb variety. Very vigorous and gives beautiful tender pink stalks when covered in the spring. My established SA is strong enough to be covered early each year for some pickings then does well when uncovered to give a few pickings later on. It grows on well into the autumn and is strong enough to do this all over again in the following year!

John

Try getting back to the supplier.

We have had this happen to newly planted rhubarb. In fact also with not so new. Last year we thought that we had lost all our rhubarb as its eemed to die off in the dry conditions but now all but one are growing.

We also bought a Stocksbridge Arrow this year and planted it in a pot in the cold greenhouse to 'get going'. We thought that it had died off as the few stems withered and none replace them. Now it has started to produced new stems so maybe yours will too. If it is dry keep giving it some water.

I dug up the one that appeared to be dead today. It has what appears to be a healthy tap root and other minor roots. There is no sign of life on the crown top, but I have potted it in some general potting compost so I shall wait to see what happens.

I had this happen last year with a new potted rhubarb. The stems taht were produced were very thin and feeble and when pulled were spongy inside with lots of holes. It was watered well and had a pot with a water resevoir at the bottom. It eventually died back completely. This year it has put out lots of stems, but again they are very very thin. Haven't pulled any to see what is going on with them yet.

Good news. The plant which had 'died' and which I dug up and potted into some general potting compost has shown no sign of life for the last month, but has just started sprouting again.

Thanks to John for your good advice. Should I plant it out again now, or leave it in the pot and plant it out next winter when it becomes dormant again?

Hello M
Glad to hear that your rhubarb has got the message and decided to show its head. I would grow it on in its pot until it is well established, pot on if necessary so that you finish up with your plant in a 2-3 litre pot with good root growth.
Keep it cool and well watered outside - it will take even the worst of the weather. Then you can plant it out directly into its final position - this might be in the Autumn or even next Spring.
Rhubarb really is a long-term crop. Don't pull any stalks in the first year, very few in the second and by its third year it should be thriving.
I love the stuff but the family aren't too keen.
John

I noticed DT Brown were offering an autumn fruiting rhubarb this year, If anyone is looking for new plants.