Rhubarb: Small Stalks

Problem
Rhubarb stalks are thin and small.

Analysis
Rhubarb stalks may be small for any of several reasons.

1. End of the harvest season: Rhubarb stalks are produced from food stored in their roots. Toward the end of the harvest season, the food is used up and the stalks become smaller and smaller.

2. Lack of fertilization: Rhubarb plants are heavy feeders, requiring large amounts of fertilizer to encourage healthy growth so that an adequate food supply will be stored for the following year's harvest.

3. Young plants: Rhubarb stalks are small until the plants establish their roots and are able to store an adequate amount of food. This may take 2 years after planting.

4. Overcrowding: Rhubarb plants are vigorous growers with deep roots, and may compete with each other if not divided every 5 to 7 years.

5. Crown rot: This disease reduces plant vigor and kills the roots. For more information, see Crown Rot.

6. Poor soil drainage: Rhubarb does not tolerate wet soil. The roots rot and the plants eventually die.

Solution
Control crown rot and improve the soil drainage as outlined in Soil Structure, Groundwater.