Why can't I grow rhubarb?

[Qzy]

Is anyone using Roundup nearby? Our neighbour used it to clear some weeds and the only plant It damaged on our side was the Rhubarb - it seems to be particularly sensitive to it.

[Alicante]

Is anyone using Roundup nearby? Our neighbour used it to clear some weeds and the only plant It damaged on our side was the Rhubarb - it seems to be particularly sensitive to it.

This is an interesting idea. It might explain why the rhubarb on the allotment was so poor last year, the girl on the next plot does use weedkillers. The rhubarb is next to the path on that side but I dont use weedkiller in the back garden and I have some rhubarb growing(or not!) there as well. Thank you, I will go away and look up roundup.

[hamamelis]

No-one's used any weedkiller nearby on my plot for at least a few years- my only neighbouring plot that's not separated by a few metres is the orchard, which is organic.

The previous plot holder used to spray the stuff absolutely everywhere though (including on my plot occasionally). But she left the year before last, and it doesn't last that long... Does it?

[Bigmallly]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned which I always relate to growing good Rhubarb is plenty of well rotted Horse Manure. Then again I am a simple guy with simple ideas.

[Kristen]

it doesn't last that long... Does it?

If it was a persistent weedkiller, like Sodium chlorate, I wouldn't expect anything to grow, let alone Rhubarb, so assuming other things are growing in that area then I doubt it is a persistent weedkiller.

[muddled]

Basically, crown rot is usually incurable although a few plants manage to recover.

Not all nurseries rotate the plants, and those that do don't always leave a long enough time between rotations for the diseases to die or get washed out of the soil. Crown rot can remain in the soil several years, patiently awaiting the ideal conditions and ideal host plants to attack.

Is there anything we can look out for?
I just bought a plant of timperly early...is there any way of telling a good plant at this time of year?