AboutElyse Grau Expertise I can answer most questions on vegetable and fruit growing, in particular those that pertain to the Northwest, Midwest and other cool areas of the country. I prefer to use only organic/natural methods and materials.
Experience I have Master Gardener training and have been gardening for over 25 years. I use organic and natural methods only. I live on 5 acres and have a large vegetable garden, as well as orchard, grapevines and berries.
Question Hello:Two years ago I transplanted two rhubarb plants and, even now, they don't seem to be making much progress. THey are located in a sunny area,I fertilized them but the stalks are still pencil thin. What can I do????? Any advice would be most welcome./
Answer Bob:
I've never grown rhubarb, so I can't speak from experience. However, it is a perennial, and a slow growing one, so first I would say maybe it just needs another year. It's possible you damaged the plant somewhat when transplanting, divided at the wrong time or the plants were too young to be divided (were they at least 3 years old and crowded?) I assume they were producing well at the time of transplanting?
You already fertilized, you don't say when, twice a year would be OK. If the plants look healthy otherwise, I'd say again to just give them more time. You might do a soil test and make sure the soil where you transplanted them is the correct pH for rhubarb - I believe it likes acidic soil.
