limp rhubarb

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danandgeorgie

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limp rhubarb
« on: March 10, 2011, 18:52 »
I have just planted 3 new rhubarb plants from my local garden centre.  They looked healthy with several shoots and 2 or 3 proper stems each.  Three days later and the stems are lying on the ground wilted and the plant is giving a good impression of the proverbial dead parrot!  Can someone tell me what I did wrong and how I should proceed?  I don't have an allotment but a fairly large garden.  I planted in soil and compost.  Soil here is very thick clay.  The ground I planted in had previously been coveed in bark chips.
thanks
Dan

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flitwickone

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2011, 19:35 »
not 100% sure but leave it well be rhubarb is as tough as old boots make sure it is watered and watch it make a come back the wood chips might be to blame but an expert in ph will be along soon good luck

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Fisherman

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2011, 19:37 »
The only thing I can think of is that they weren't hardened off when you bought them and cold weather perhaps frost has flattened them. I would cover them for  a couple of weeks with a bucket or plant pot and see if they produce new buds. Some of the rhubarb plants bought now will have been forced inside and would need protection outside. The later varieties will only just be poking through the ground at this time of the year.  Do you know the variety of the plants that you bought?

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Salmo

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2011, 20:51 »
Could just be short of water?

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TheSpartacat

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2011, 01:14 »
I'd agree with the water suggestion. If newly planted they'll still be establishing a root system for taking up water wouldn't they?  ???

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danandgeorgie

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2011, 09:14 »
Thanks for the ideas.  The label says Timperley Early and tells you that the first rhubarb should be ready in a few weeks but reading on here it looks like you should not harvest in the first year - is that right?  On the water front I watered them in well but have not watered since as the label said "well dreained soil in full sun".  I figured they should not be watered to much in clay.  I'll give them a decent drink today.

Dan

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DD.

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2011, 09:18 »
As with any plant, you have to lt it get etablished before you start ripping bits off. You should really wait until next year with a new rhubarb crown.

Could be worse - you could be waiting 3 years for asparagus!
Did it really tell you to do THAT on the packet?

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danandgeorgie

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2011, 09:35 »
Thanks DD

Happy to wait - patience not a problem but sales tickets should not mislead the ignorant!

How often would you water in thick clay?

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TerryB

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2011, 09:39 »
You should leave them the 1st year but if you leave 4 stems you can get away with trying some in 1st year but don't go mad.

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purplejaguar

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2011, 10:31 »
As with any plant, you have to lt it get etablished before you start ripping bits off. You should really wait until next year with a new rhubarb crown.

Could be worse - you could be waiting 3 years for asparagus!

I thought it was 7 years until asparagus is fully established?  :)
Chinese Proverb - Man who puts Meat and Peas in same pot, very unhygenic!! ;o)

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DD.

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2011, 10:33 »
3 years from seed and you can have a bit!

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purplejaguar

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2011, 10:35 »
Yeah, you can have a bit :).

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DD.

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2011, 10:47 »
From seed, I had a bit in year 3, then the lot year 4 onwards. There's no need to wait for 7.

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purplejaguar

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2011, 13:41 »
Thats great to know, I may plant some now, I LOVE the stuff :D.

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alibean

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Re: limp rhubarb
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2011, 18:03 »
I grew some rhubarb from seed 2 years ago and I'm looking forward to having a little bit soon - carry on allotmenting  :nowink:



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