[hubballi]

I have rhubarb bought last year sunk in large terracotta pot in the ground to stop it spreading. I will divide it when it gets big enough but this is only its second year. I forced it the last few weeks producing nice long pale stems. This last week or so I have noticed wilting stems with a floppy feel. The stems also came away easily when touched. No pulling at all. The crown has another developing stem that hasn't yet popped out of the bud. That also feels flimsy and hollow, not hard and compact like usual. I water it and feed as normal.

Will this also die on me as did my last ?

[simonwatson]

I think that forcing it in only its second year may have been a bit much for it. Forcing is hard on the root as all the energy for the stalk has to come from the root. I think all you can do is hope.

[mumofstig]

Why not just grow it in the ground - they don't like growing in pots.
It's not as if it spreads like mint and tries to take over the garden.

[Aunt Sally]

If it's floppy it's not getting enough water.

Rhubarb is one thing you will probably not be able to over water, Hubballi.

I agree with Mum, there is no need for it to be in a pot.  It won't spread.

[Salmo]

If it's floppy it's not getting enough water.

Rhubarb is one thing you will probably not be able to over water, Hubballi.

I agree with Mum, there is no need for it to be in a pot.  It won't spread.

Or too much water? Is the pot full of water with the drainage holes blocked? Has it been effectively standing in water since last years deluge?

I agree with the others. Take it out of the pot. Rhubarb is a very managable plant. When it gets too big, dig it up, chop bits off replant the best bits.

[Aunt Sally]

Or too much water? Is the pot full of water with the drainage holes blocked? Has it been effectively standing in water since last years deluge?

Oh, yes...  I hadn't thought of that possibility 

[surbie100]

While I agree with the 'best in the ground' feel to this, both my (unforced) 3 year crowns are in 45L plastic trugs with holes drilled in the bottom and have been there for a year, where they have been very happy. The mix is part topsoil, part compost and part rotted manure. (and they won't be staying in pots, but I can dither about where to put things for a long time!)

No floppy stems, first crumble last week.

I think forcing it when still a baby might have done for it. Unless you don't have holes in the bottom for water to come out.

[vanessa.xx]

I too have been suffering from floppy rhubarb, a fellow plot holder took pity on me when he saw my pitiful little rhubarb that i'd bought from my garden centre, anyway said to help myself to his on the plot he was giving up and we dug up 3 really big ones with big roots, anyway this was in the middle of march. They looked great for the first couple of weeks but then they started getting very floppy and sad looking i have been watering like mad for the last 4 days and they seem to have picked up. All the rhubarb on surrounding plots looks neglected but amazing 

[hubballi]

I only have a small space so I don't want it to take over.

[JayG]

I'd concentrate on keeping it alive before you start worrying about that Hubs!

[mumofstig]

I only have a small space so I don't want it to take over.

I repeat

It's not as if it spreads like mint and tries to take over the garden.

It takes years and years to get big.

[Aunt Sally]

It won't take over. 

They ideally need to be dug up divided and frosted every five years, about November time.

[sunshineband]

I too have been suffering from floppy rhubarb, a fellow plot holder took pity on me when he saw my pitiful little rhubarb that i'd bought from my garden centre, anyway said to help myself to his on the plot he was giving up and we dug up 3 really big ones with big roots, anyway this was in the middle of march. They looked great for the first couple of weeks but then they started getting very floppy and sad looking i have been watering like mad for the last 4 days and they seem to have picked up. All the rhubarb on surrounding plots looks neglected but amazing 

That could be because the root system has not quite recovered from being moved and now the plant has great big leaves that are giving off lots of water -- less in than out perhaps?

Keep watering it - good soak every week for  while and that should help

[hubballi]

Ok, I'll plant it straight into the soil. The other reason I kept in a pot was so I didn't commit to somewhere without being sure it was staying.i like to move things around to suit best position by trial and error.

[vanessa.xx]

Thank you sunshineband i'll keep up with the watering then  hopefully it will settle in soon