Rhubarb - what am I doing wrong?

[Puddleduck]

My rhubarb is dead. It had a nice freshly composted home and now it's dead. What am I doing wrong? the weather has been less than clement recently, wet and frosty alternately, could this have killed it? I thought it liked the cold and that it was virtually unkillable? Am completely stumped, please help

[oldjerry]

Need a few more details,Have you just planted it?

[Puddleduck]

I planted it about 3 weeks ago. I'm kind of new to all this and am going by books which said to plant it out by the end of Feb. Am kind of winging it (no change there then). I bow to all of your superior knowledge...

[Odsox]

If you only planted it three weeks ago, what makes you think it's dead ?
Presumably it had a leaf or two showing which has since shrivelled up, but I assume you bought it in a pot, which was probably grown in a sheltered area of a garden centre, so planting it in wet frosty weather would have been a massive shock to the poor plant.

It's probably not actually dead, just been "cut back" and will produce new shoots when the weather is a bit more conducive.
So, I would suggest leaving it alone for a week or two, but if it is actually dead you can get a pot grown replacement which you can plant any time of the year.

[okra]

Don't panic - it will re-emerge when its ready - rhubarb is a tough old plant and is not easily killed

[Puddleduck]

OK, I just figured it was dead because it's gone all brown and shrivelly, I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens. Thanks guys, appreciate your advice

[MKG]

It isn't Norwegian Blue rhubarb, is it?

Mike

[oldjerry]

Given the winter we've had....it COULD have bleedin snuffed it!!...... (but I expect it's OK).

[Odsox]

It isn't Norwegian Blue rhubarb, is it?

Mike

Nailed to the ground ?

[chilitony]

I planted three rhubarb crowns 3 years ago. i was told 30 years ago that the first year you should not pick to let the crowns get established. In that first yaer 1 crown did die.
The second year (last year) i only picked enough to make wine
This year (3rd year) i put 2 large buckets over the crowns to force tham, last sunday had a look and the buckets were full and to the top so picked 1 virtually clean, gave some away and had rhubarb crumble for desert on sunday.
Today i have just picked the other one and have given some away 2 other peaple and have got rhubarb crumble in the oven as i write.
so good luck
Changing the subject slightly, while i was at the allotment got my first purple sprouting brocalli of the year which i am having with my dinner

[Puddleduck]

Thanks again all, I dumped some nice manure on it to see if it helps. And it's definitely not Norwegian Blue Rhubard as it is not bereft of life or resting in peace!! Nice one!!!