Help - my rhubarb's dying!

**HeyWayne** · 11-06-2009, 11:22 AM

Is it well watered?

**greysquirrel** · 11-06-2009, 11:31 AM

It's not sodden but I water it (or it rains) a couple of times a week

**HeyWayne** · 11-06-2009, 11:44 AM

Just quickly googled "yellowing leaves on rhubarb" - and it seems to suggest root/crown rot, but given yours is in a pot it should be free-draining?

Bizarre.

I'm sure someone will be along soon who knows better than I.

Fingers crossed for you.

Rhubarb is often quoted as "easy to grow", but I planted 5 crowns and only two are growing (2nd season). They've both bolted probably due to lack of water/food.

I pay less attention to allegedly harder to grow plants.

**vicky** · 11-06-2009, 11:48 AM

They start to die back in late summer and look the way you are describing. If it's in a pot it could be hot and drying out more quickly, making the plant think it's time to die back?
I don't know if it will do much more this season, I don't think it will grow too many more leaves even if you keep it lovely and moist. If you have space I'd plant it in the ground in the autumn as a few people on the vine have had trouble with rhubarb in pots, they don't seem to do well in them....

**snake the squadie** · 11-06-2009, 11:52 AM

i wouldnt worry to much it could be a very early type. i get excalent fruit (is it a fruit or veg) of mine in april/ very early may then it just dies like yours then reapears just fine the next year. mine is in the ground though so no idea if your pot has anything to do with it

**greysquirrel** · 11-06-2009, 11:52 AM

Thanks, I've only got a small garden and unfortunately not enough time or energy for an allotment so it'll have to stay in the pot.
I'll have to wait and see if it comes back next year I suppose. Could be another expensive lesson

**snake the squadie** · 11-06-2009, 11:54 AM

dont worry i have had quite a few of them

**chrissie the chippy** · 11-06-2009, 12:15 PM

apparently on our lottie it is a bad year for everyone.... something to do with the weather last year??

Mine are doing as yours, except mine are in the ground, have been for over a year now. My neighbour suggested mulching with manure..... think I've done more harm though

I think some might have touched the stems, obviously didn't put enough straw under.... or just too much poo!

Oh well, hoping I get a good crop next year., and you too

**Sanjo** · 11-06-2009, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by greysquirrel View Post

I planted a rhubarb crown in a large pot with plenty of new compost and rotted horse manure in the spring.

At first everything was fine and it was growing well but not anymore.

It's stopped putting out new leaves and what leaves it does have are turning yellow and breaking off.

Any ideas what I can do.

DITTO!!!! I posted my query some weeks back but it puzzled a number of grapes.
The general consensus of opinion seems to be the fact that it is in a pot. Like you, I have nowhere else to put it. I am going to leave it for this year and see what happens in the spring.
If it doesn't behave then it's curtains for it!!
Wouldn't mind, but it is in a massive pot and received nothing but TLC.
Keep our fingers crossed eh?

**MargaretMcAdams** · 08-08-2017, 08:45 AM

I think you have to wait and keep the rhubarb in a smaller pot for a little while before transferring it to a bigger space. It may be too late now, but make sure you water it often, but not too much and make sure it get sunlight but not so much that the leaves are burning or drying up.

**Scarlet** · 08-08-2017, 09:19 AM

This is an old post Margaret....made 8 years ago.

Welcome to the vine, why don't you pop over to introduce yourself?
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Help - my rhubarb's dying!

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