Botrytis (fungus) This fungus may cause leaf, stalk, and crown rot, most often affecting forced rhubarb (covered rhubarb). This disease is more common in areas where rhubarb plants do not receive proper air circulation and high humidity.
Why is my rhubarb dying off?
The most common causes for rhubarb dying are: overwatering, poor soil aeration, too much heat, iron deficiency, or pests and diseases.
What’s wrong with my rhubarb?
Brown splotches on rhubarb may be the result of pesticide residue, salts, or a combination of both. These may begin as yellow patches seen upon the leaves, gradually becoming reddish brown. Also, if your rhubarb has brown spots, the culprit may just be a healthy growing rhubarb.
Why is my rhubarb turning yellow and dying?
Yellowing and wilting of the leaves could simply be lack of water at crucial times – the broad leaves need copious amounts of moisture in summer. Or it could be a fungal disease. Check the crown of the plant at the base of the leaves close to soil level for white fungal growth or rot.
How do you revive rhubarb plants?
To renew your rhubarb, it will be necessary to divide the root. The root has become too old and tough to grow well. The time to divide the root will be as early in the spring as you can dig it up. Dig up the root, going about 6 inches deep.
Why are my rhubarb leaves turning red and dying?
Root and Crown Rots (fungi and bacteria)
Rhubarb plants affected by fungi and bacteria causing root and crown rots show a lack of ability to thrive. Leaves may turn yellow to red and collapse. The crowns, when examined, exhibit a brown-black decay.
What’s eating my rhubarb leaves?
Slugs, snails and beetles are the main culprits. Before rushing to the chemical cabinet though, remember that you don’t eat the leaves. So, unless the damage is very extensive, it may well be best to simply ignore the pests.
How do I keep bugs off my rhubarb?
Copper tape, eggshells, and pencil-sharpening are great ways to naturally repel slugs and snails. Place these materials at the base of your plant in the soil. They will prevent slugs and snails from physically crawling on your rhubarb plant.
What insect attacks rhubarb?
Fortunately, the eggs of this insect do not hatch when deposited in rhubarb. The rhubarb curculio (or rhubarb weevil) is a large snout beetle, about 1/2 inch long. It is dark colored, with a yellow powdery material dusted on its back. The yellowish covering easily rubs off when the insect is handled.
Why are the leaves on my rhubarb turning yellow?
Temperature. The Rhubarb plant will be most productive in winter temperatures, i.e., below the 40s. If the plant gets too much heat, the leaves get wilted and become yellow.
How often should you water rhubarb?
Water rhubarb plants during dry weather to maintain healthy foilage throughout the summer. Healthy plants are able to store large amounts of food in their roots, resulting in a good harvest the following year. During dry weather, a deep soaking every 7 to 10 days should be adequate.
Can you overwater rhubarb?
Rhubarb should not be overwatered because it is susceptible to crown rot. If you water your rhubarb, do so early in the day to allow the surface of the soil around the plants to dry out during the rest of the day.
Are coffee grounds good for rhubarb?
Most vegetables like soil on the slightly alkaline side, but acid-loving vegetables like radishes, parsley, potatoes, peppers and rhubarb can get a boost from fresh coffee grounds.
Why is my rhubarb so thin and spindly?
Answer: Newly planted rhubarb will initially produce small, spindly stalks during its 2 year establishment period. The stalks of large, old plants may be small and spindly because of overcrowding. Poor plant vigor due to poor cultural practices is another possibility.
What is the best Fertiliser for rhubarb?
For the highest yields of rhubarb stems, fertilize your plants three times per year. Apply 2 to 3 inches of composted manure, compost or ½ cup of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant in early spring (now).
Does rhubarb need a lot of water to grow?
Water during prolonged dry periods in summer. Growth will slow down and even stop if conditions are too hot and dry. Plants in containers need regular watering throughout the growing season, as they dry out much more readily. To boost growth, apply a general fertiliser in spring or summer.
How do you keep rhubarb healthy?
Caring for rhubarb
Maintaining soil fertility is the key to keeping plants healthy. Mulch around the base of plants with home-made compost, well-rotted manure and leaf mould in autumn, to suppress weeds, increase fertility and retain soil moisture. Giving plants a liquid feed in spring will also aid strong growth.
Does rhubarb like full sun?
A sunny position is best, however steer away from the hot afternoon sun in summer. Rhubarb will grow in some shade, but will be smaller and thinner. Rhubarb is best planted in the garden where it can spread out.
Should I cut off dead rhubarb leaves?
If you find that the whole plant is coming out of the ground when you pull the stalks, pack it more firmly into the soil around the roots. Remember that only the rhubarb stalks are edible, so cut off the rhubarb leaves and discard them.
How do I stop slugs eating my rhubarb?
Hand picking: The most effective and low impact way to control slugs and snails is by hand picking. This is best done at night or early morning and must be done regularly if it is to have much effect. You will soon learn to find their hiding places.
How do I get rid of aphids on rhubarb?
Rhubarb insecticide
Boil 500 grams of rhubarb leaves in a few pints of water for about 20 minutes, allow to cool, then strain the liquid into a suitable container. Add some dish detergent or soap flakes (not laundry detergent!) and spray on leaves to kill off all kinds of bugs like aphids and spider mites.