Why is my rhubarb small and skinny? Leaves are already turning yellow. Is it missing something in the soil? Here’s a picture:
Marilyn
Rhubarb likes cooler weather, so if it is in a hot spot in your yard, you may need to provide some shade for it during the hot part of the day. Also, rhubarb is a heavy feeder, so it needs lots of good rich soil, and it needs lots of water but does not like it feet wet. Try giving it some liquid fertilizer, like Alaska fish in a watering can once a week (follow directions). The small size of the stalks may be the variety, or that it is just not getting enough nutrients (heavy feeders). If the plant has a flower growing, remember to break those off as near the ground as possible, the plant expends energy in producing the flower that can go into the leaves instead. When harvesting rhubarb do not over harvest the plant, and remember to stop picking after several weeks. Remaining stalks will provide nutrients through photosynthesis to the roots to rejuvenate the plant for next year.
Gordon
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