question about rhubarb

GWN 1/27/2012, 9:23 am

My mother had the most incredible rhubarb plant that had grown by many times over the years. Last year she went into a long term care facility and before the property was sold, I dug up the rhubarb and divided it up amongst the family keeping 6 plants for me.
NONE of the others I gave them to are really gardeners, but they planted the rhubarb and presto had a new huge rhubarb plant.
I planted all of mine, dug in compost etc and for some reason all of mine died. At least they appeared to have died, early fall before it even got cold the plant was down to nothing.
It does not seem fair, I wonder what I possibly am doing wrong, the plants are all in slightly different spots. I thought that growing rhubarb was fool proof .

**camprn** 1/27/2012, 9:52 am

Fingers crossed that the plant grows back! It's nice to know that all the other daughter plants have made it. At least you can divide one of those next year if yours does not revive.
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2006/2-8/rhubarb.html

tomperrin 1/27/2012, 10:47 am

The first time we planted asparagus, we planted the crowns upside down, and then wondered why we weren't getting any action. Fortunately, we were able to reverse our error, turned them rightside up and most survived and flourished.

**camprn** 1/27/2012, 10:56 am

tomperrin wrote:The first time we planted asparagus, we planted the crowns upside down, and then wondered why we weren't getting any action. Fortunately, we were able to reverse our error, turned them rightside up and most survived and flourished.

I have done this a few times as well. An easy error to make.

CindiLou 1/27/2012, 11:08 pm

I have no idea how you would do it different. I have a hugggge patch that has been in the same place for the 16 yrs I have been here. It was established and well known before I bought the house even. I never do anything but cut off the seed stalks.

Rofl..neighbor lady one year "you need to compost and cover that rhubarb" ..her hubby"she is doing just fine with it, leave her alone" ....

Last year I did dig up a couple of smaller bunches that were in different places in the yard, and some that was growing out of the garden area..All bunches were planted and grew lol...yes the neighbor lady got some!

So I think rhubarb thrives on neglect...

oh I do make sure to put the leaves in between the plant when we pick to take care of weeds..guess that composts it!

That is all I have ever done with the bed.

GWN 1/28/2012, 10:40 am

so perhaps I am just trying too hard
I am holding out the hope that as the snow melts and I pull away the straw, I will find a tiny bud pushing itself up in the spring........ even if just one.

One more detail that I am not sure if it was signigicant.
Two of the plants very rapidly sent up a seed head, which I promptly cut off ?????

CindiLou 1/28/2012, 11:16 am

You cut the seed heads off. Letting it set seed may weaken the plant and it may die.
You can pick rhubarb all summer. There may be areas of the stalk that is bug eaten. Just cut that part out.

GWN 4/1/2012, 11:13 am

Well this story has a happy ending. These rhubarb were totally dead last summer, no signs of life whatsoever.
Then I noticed this little gem and went looking and all 6 plants are alive and well, and sending tons of shoots up, ANY Great rhubarb jam recipes out there..... low sugar preferably question about rhubarb Dsc_0133

kittykat 4/1/2012, 11:18 am

Yay!!!

Lavender Debs 4/1/2012, 11:23 am

Can you do low-sugar rhubarb?

GWN 4/1/2012, 11:29 am

Can you do low-sugar rhubarb?

good question, perhaps moderate?

**camprn** 4/1/2012, 11:31 am

if you Google low sugar rhubarb jelly, jam, preserves, a ton of links pop up.

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