[wendycas]

Hi

We have had some excellent growth from our rhubarb this season so we decided to harvest some last weekend and discovered that the stalks had holes running down the length - sorry I tried to attach a picture but the system said it was too big! The stalks aren't dried out-in fact they look the same as usual-except these holes. The plants themselves are 4 years old.

Thanks 

[mumofstig]

Mine often do that towards the end of the rhubarb season - I don't think there's anything to worry about.

It's just starting to die back a bit earlier than normal.

[gypsy]

Mine have been like that in previous years.

[wendycas]

Thank you!

So is rhubarb like strawberries and only lasts for so many years? If so, when do plants need replacing?

Thanks again 

[mumofstig]

They last for years given a feed in winter. Every year they die back to the roots, sometimes depending on the weather they start the dying back process earlier than others, also the early varieties tend to die back early (cos they started early 

You'll still see leaves for a while yet, but the stems get a bit fibrous - which is why it's not usually harvested much at this time of year.

[surbie100]

Rhubarb lasts ages. The plant's just starting to get ready for winter and the stalks change towards the end of the season. I don't take any after July as they are quite stringy and I want the plants to come back strongly - not had a huge amount of success in the past with it, but this year the curse see,s to have been broken!  .

[Annen]

Thank you!

So is rhubarb like strawberries and only lasts for so many years? If so, when do plants need replacing?

Thanks again 

mine has been in for thirty years with almost no attention and is still going.

[RJR_38]

Definitely depends on the variety! Mine starts at least a month ahead of others (but has been finished for about 4 weeks now) so don't worry if your is dying back already

[Nobbie]

Definitely depends on the variety! Mine starts at least a month ahead of others (but has been finished for about 4 weeks now) so don't worry if your is dying back already

After an initial surge in the spring, mine started to die back a bit when it warmed up, but now with cooler temps and a bit of rain it's growing strongly again so I'll be taking a few more sticks.

[wendycas]

Thanks everyone for the replies! The thing is ours are so vibrant and not actually dying back yet So if we harvest some in the next few weeks, eating it with these holes will be alright?

Thank you 

[mumofstig]

You can pick them but they may be more fibrous and may taste a bit sharper, as they have more oxalic acid in them at this time of year.

I only usually pick a few if I'm making jam.

Remember not to pick too many as they do need to build up their strength for next year.

[Norfolkgrey]

The other thing to remember is leaving leaves and stems on so there is something to die back, as the energy goes back into the plant to see it through the winter