Rhubarb - mature plants not coming through?

[ldsau93]

Fairly new to Rhubarb so would appreciate some advice.
I have 6-7 Rhubarb plants (various unknown varieties).

- One is coming through vigorously and ready to crop

- One is just showing through

- The others are - so far - a complete no show.

I've had the plot 3 years and the plants went in at that time. They were allowed to establish before being harvested, and did well last year.

Only thing that I did differently last autumn was to apply some spent hops as a mulch (which appears to have not affected 2 of the plants).

Plot is in Bristol, slightly heavy soil.

Should I be worried - or just a bit more patient?

[burnie]

I can't grow rhubub on my thin soil, but my daughters garden is full of it, I've found if the ground is not too dry, it thrives, even when neglected. It does need plenty of water though

[Jay-ell]

Last year I split up a rhubarb into several new plants. The two planted in the hedge came through the first whilst the ones in the bed lagged behind a bit. Now just waiting for one of them (it does have buds on the crown they just haven't burst through yet)

Even the section of root dumped on the pile has started to grow before that plant

I've a different variety growing under the shed which is starting back into life with lots of pink buds now appearing.

Are all yours the same variety or are they different?

[sparrow100]

I'd be more patient before panicking. Given how many crowns you have, they might be all different varieties. Some are early season croppers, some mid and some late.

I have 3 different varieties: Timperley Early which I can pick now, Glaskins Perpetual which I grew from seed 2 years ago has some stalks and buds, and the Hawkes Champagne, which is in a shady area, is only just starting to move.

[fishpond]

A bit more patient.
Rhubarb is difficult to kill.
Its probably still drunk from the spent hops, wish I had some to give mine.

[ldsau93]

Patience has paid off, they've all started poking through. Panic over!

[fishpond]

If you can let us know when the crumble is cooked, we can organise a coach outing.
Rhubarb wine from young rhubarb is apparently delicious.

[ldsau93]

ok - crumble cooked (and eaten!) - using the plant that wasn't so shy. I've done a lot of Rhubarb wine and concur - it is delicous.

[BUFFS]

13 crowns of rhubarb and I never thought to make some booze, shame on me, that will have to be altered this year as we struggle to eat it all, loads left, if I make hooch I wont struggle, I just wont care....many thanks, I have signed the pledge, I WILL make some hooch, just for medicinal purposes of course..

[happyhumph]

I had 3 new barefoot crowns I put in in autumn & was getting very worried about, but they started showing last week which is great.