Rhubarb boo boo?

We harvested our rhubarb to within an inch of its life, and then my husband strimmed what was left of the leaves (it was getting buried in grass so the wholel lot got strimmed). 

Now I am wondering if this was a mistake?  (Bit late now we've done it I know!)

Although two of the crowns now have baby leave regrowing.

What do I need to do with the crowns to prepare for winter? 
Do they need feeding?  I presume we leave on the leaves that are now growing?

The third crown isnt doing much leafwise, could we have killed it?

And sorry if this is a thick question, but does the crown need sunlight if it hasnt got any leaves?  The grass around it is covering it, and I dont know if I should leave it with the cover as protection or uncover it?

All help and advice gladly received!

The third option is to leave the plant to fend for itself.

Where I'm concerned rhubarb is a tenacious weed and I only allow it allotment room because my wife likes it! Personally I've got better things to give my compost to.

I've ill-treated mine like this for about five years now and it gets bigger every year. Having said that, it is growing by the side of a large pallet compost bin so it will be getting a constant leach of nutrients every time it rains through the heap.

I'd give it a good feed and then leave it alone.  Don't force the crowns and pick lightly next year until you're sure it's recovered and growing strongly.  There's usually no need to strim up-to and over rhubarb, a healthy plant will cast enough shade to prevent growth of anything else within 6"-18" of the crown.  Tradition is to stop picking rhubarb at midsummer to allow the plant to put energy into the crown for the rest of the year.

Quote from: savbo on September 14, 2012, 11:03

My Dad said to dig up the rhubarb roots for the winter and let the frost get at it! Mind I've never tried it myself, I've always left it too late and the ground is hard as a rock!

My FIL grew loads for the whole Scottish village he lived in and every few years would dig it and leave over winter to give it a boost!! He was renowned and known as the Rhubarb man..

I'd give it a good feed and then leave it alone.  Don't force the crowns and pick lightly next year until you're sure it's recovered and growing strongly.  There's usually no need to strim up-to and over rhubarb, a healthy plant will cast enough shade to prevent growth of anything else within 6"-18" of the crown.  Tradition is to stop picking rhubarb at midsummer to allow the plant to put energy into the crown for the rest of the year.

Regarding feeding it, is it best to use manure, or are there liquid feeds you can give (like Tomorite)?

Also, what do you mean by 'forcing' the crowns?

Tomorite is a fast-release, liquid potash feed.  Not suitable for what you describe.

'Forcing' is putting something like a bucket over the crown of the plant in early spring, before it starts shooting.  You force the plant through lack of light to produce early and weak / pale shoots which are sought after.

Don't force a young plant, and don't do it for consecutive years as it takes a lot of energy out of the plant.

Thanks for the answer, I have often seen it be mentioned, to force a plant and never knew.

Regarding the feed, I will go with the manure option.
Thanks!

More detailed info towards the bottom of the RHS page on rhubarb here:
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=544