So, whose rhubarb was victimized? Also, yesterday I had a known in-town gardener out her. We took a walk to see my own garden, and she commented that her rhubarb as well as mine seemed rather spindly, less robust, this year as compared to other years. Weather?
Q: In past years my rhubarb has grown thick stalks, but this year it is producing primarily spindly, thin fruit. What is causing this? (Killdeer, N.D., e-mail)
A: Rhubarb doesn't like to be kept in the same place forever, so when it gets sick of the location it is in, it lets us know by producing undersized petioles and leaves. Simply dig it up and move it to a new location. This needs to be done every six to eight years.
Perhaps it is a coincidence that you and your in-town gardener friend have rhubarb that is in need of relocation.
oh my, what is this world coming to???
ReplyDeleteSo, whose rhubarb was victimized?
ReplyDeleteAlso, yesterday I had a known in-town gardener out her. We took a walk to see my own garden, and she commented that her rhubarb as well as mine seemed rather spindly, less robust, this year as compared to other years. Weather?
Here is a good Q and A on growing rhubarb from North Dakota State University:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/fruitveg/rhubarb.htm
Their answer to your question Little Lulu:
Q: In past years my rhubarb has grown thick stalks, but this year it is producing primarily spindly, thin fruit. What is causing this? (Killdeer, N.D., e-mail)
A: Rhubarb doesn't like to be kept in the same place forever, so when it gets sick of the location it is in, it lets us know by producing undersized petioles and leaves. Simply dig it up and move it to a new location. This needs to be done every six to eight years.
Perhaps it is a coincidence that you and your in-town gardener friend have rhubarb that is in need of relocation.
Nah. Go for it. You'll have a head start on new root growth for next year.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I'm wrong you can steal, er get, some from a neighbor.