Rhubarb what went wrong?

[ericmark]

I have grown rhubarb for years, and I have split lumps off the main plant many times and started new plants, it seems reasonably indestructible, and the large leaves stop weeds growing so I have used as a temporary plant in planters until ready to plant other plants. It has never failed to take, even with very rich near total recycled garden waste from council skip sites.

However I took a lump of root which actually had two a small and large bit and took to new house, planted in two different locations, one in shade at top of bank, one in shade bottom of bank and water regular in first couple of months, bottom one only ever had one small leaf, top one seemed OK but then died back after 3 months so would have expected by then well established. In both cases used council soil enhancer so in the past rhubarb has grown very well in that.

Still have old house so can get more, but I didn't think you could kill rhubarb, maybe I haven't and it is just dormant, but no signs of leaves any more.

 

[JohnD]

Sometimes the root gets infected. I have lost several to bootlace fungus fairly close to the place where an old diseased tree was removed years ago.