No potatoes and rhubarb is dying

[misty44]

I planted tubers on 12th March. I dug up one stem today to see what was happening and the bud potaoes have only just begun to grow under the soil. They're tiny, no bigger than a couple of centimeters. Is this normal?

My rhubarb is dying and I don't know why. It's in the shade but does have some sun, I water it when it doesn't rain...the leaves went yellow and shrivelled and now the actual stalks are dying and there were only three to begin with. Any guidance would be most appreciated.

Misty

[boboff]

I am sorry misty, I don't know what to say?

I would hope your potatoes are ok, My rhubarb when first transplaned went a bit like that, it has picked up though.

Is this a new garden, have you grown things here before, did you chit your pots>? Is the Rhubard a transplant? Not that with this I can help you much, but it would help the other cleverer folk.

[gregorach]

What sort of potatoes?

[Odsox]

I think maybe you are a wee bit premature with your potatoes.
If they are first earlies they need roughly 3 months assuming they were chitted and the soil temperature was above about 8c back in March.
Second earlies need about 4 months and maincrop about 5 months, give or take.

My outdoor ones were planted in February and I plan to dig the first ones next Sunday.

[matowakan]

Sorry to hear about your pots, I have heard that plenty of watering at the flowering stage can really swell the tubers giving a good crop.My first earlies which have been in the ground for about 9 weeks are just starting to flower to will get a good water tomorrow if it doesnt rain.
However I will be checking the size tomorrow out of interest!

[chickenchargrill]

That's about the same time I planted my first earlies. They are some new potatoes in there, but the plant is not showing any sign of flowering. I have it down for being ready mid-late June.

[Thomzo]

I don't know what the weather's been like up there but down here it's been so dry, the rhubarb's been struggling. I suggest you give it plenty of water. One of mine is the same as the soil is really dry around it.

Zoe

[Millymollymandy]

My rhubarb is a completely flat, yellow dead looking mess and I have been watering it, but just can't water it enough. It needs tons of water to stay green and healthy looking.

[locum76]

I'd say just relax and leave them be. They will grow, did you add plenty manure before planting? they can be a little slow if undernourished.

[pelmetman]

Our rhubarb started off really well but for the last couple of weeks its gone all limp and looking very sad for itself.

It has been waterered but suspect not nearly enough so I think its all down to the exceptionally dry spell we've had.

Sue

[Odsox]

It has been waterered but suspect not nearly enough so I think its all down to the exceptionally dry spell we've had.

That almost certainly accounts for the small potatoes as well then.
Don't seem to have that problem here for some reason.

[Millymollymandy]

I'd say just relax and leave them be. They will grow, did you add plenty manure before planting? they can be a little slow if undernourished.

Mine were planted (after forcing though) about 4 years ago on an old compost heap and have been fertilised with Blackie the hen and Dilly the duck plus plenty of muck and compost top dressing every year . No, it's just the lack of water which is the problem, when they were in the veg patch they were enormous yet still drooped but I had to move them because they took up too much space, although they were easier to water then as I was obviously watering the veg in there.

Never mind I was given a huge bunch at a plant swap so I have plenty in the freezer for crumbles.

I am hoping for scab free spuds this year as I set up the seep hoses on them early on.

[misty44]

I'm going to have to water more by the sounds of it. It's been raining for two days now but unfortunately, and I never thought I'd hear myself say this, the weather forecast for the rest of the week is sunny and warm.

Misty

[Peggy Sue]

When I readthis thread end of May I decided to hang fire a few weeks for my new potatoes.... having hung fire I dug the first yesterday- two potatoes on 1st plant, 3 on second - so cold dry springs are definitely bad for spuds.

[misty44]

Well every single rhubarb plant has died-all six. Still have no idea why. I watered them and planted them in the shade...
Win some lose some I suppose but definitely very disappointed.

Misty