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Disappointing rhubarb growth

Paul ScholeyPaul Scholey Posts: 9
in The potting shed
Hi,

My rhubarb (Timperley Early I think) is definitely not early and has very limited growth so far this year.

I think it's probably it's 4th year and whilst it has never been prolific I'm sure I've normally had more growth by now.

It's in a raised bed, so should be well drained and has reasonable sun exposure. 

Any ideas what the problem might be?

Posts

  • Paul ScholeyPaul Scholey Posts: 9
    Sorry, I didn't mean to post in "The potting shed". If anybody knows how to move it, please let me know!
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Rhubarb wants full sun and moist but well drained soil. It needs a good feed too. So feed and water well and it will do better.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    This is my Timperley Early today 




    By July I expect it to look like at least like it did two summers ago when it was 5 or 6 years old (below)

    To build up the crown so  it gives me lots of rhubarb I look after it well. I feed with fish, blood & bone in the spring and mulch with manure in the autumn.  I keep the soil moist but not boggy. 

    With yours I would feed as above. I wouldn’t harvest any this year and only a little next year. Treat it like a new plant. 

    When it’s a thriving plant in a couple of years time never take more than a third of the stalks, remove any flower stems at the base, and stop picking in early July. 

    Hope that helps. 😊 




    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WibbleWibble Posts: 89
    My Timperly Early is looking quite similar to dovefromabove’s, and it’s suffered being moved less than a month ago. I’ve had it about 10 years and I can’t say I look after it particularly well... it’s been moved several times and is currently in a fairly shady spot, in soil that is basically just clay and pebbles.... However - it gets a good feed of manure every so often, which it likes a lot - I would try that OP. I also never harvest it bald- always leave a few stalks for the plant.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    From what I know (not much), you've pretty much answered your own question?  'Clay and pebbles' doesn't sound like the ideal medium, and I'd have done the moving as soon as the foliage died back last autumn.  You've obviously got a good grasp of what rhubarb needs with your manuring, so my advice would be to find a reasonably good patch of soil and, come September, transfer it there as a permanent home.  Carry on with giving it all the nutrition you can spare, the majority soon after the move, and I'm confident you'll have success.  You may like to look for an old TV programme, possibly on Youtube, about the main commercial growers in N Lincs who provide most of what is sold in retail outlets.  It'll tell you what the crop likes, and when.
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