hollow spongy rhubarb!

[mrsflibble]

my rhubarb is hollow and spongy! it's so weird, why has this happened?

[indy]

Hi,

Possible reasons could be gone too seed, getting a bit old or lack of water according to my book

[greenishfingers]

Hi,got same problem,I've been tols it's either crown rot or honey fungus. The leaves have reddish spots or patches,some of the stems look healthy but others are mottled looking and when split open they look spongy and the fibres seem to be growing in a zig-zag fashion instead of straight. The new stems on the plant look vey thin and spindly. Does this sound like your problem? I've tried pulling off the affected and spindly stems,then gave it a feed,but nothing's really helped so going to have to dig it up and burn the plant I'm afraid. Too scared to compost it in case I sprea some nasty disease about. x

[mrsflibble]

it's not gone to seed I hope it's not some kind of disease

[giz]

My barb isnt looking to good, just not growing at all... how long are the crowns ment to last???

[RuthG]

it's not gone to seed I hope it's not some kind of disease

So do I - mine was a bit odd this year, but I went ahead and used it anyway - just made a gallon of rhubarb wine. It might just be down to the very cold winter we had, perhaps?

[mrsflibble]

I was wondering. if I can get in contact with a horticultural friend I'll ask. she's kind of illusive at the moment though lol.

[greenishfingers]

Its very sad,I had to dig up 2 of my rhubarb plants today,(actually I got my husband to do it). After trying everything I could think of,it seems to have succumbed to Honey Fungus. : (

[MKG]

I'd look at disease only as the last alternative. Given that we've had so little rainfall, it's hardly surprising that lots of rhubarb has done this - mine certainly has. There's no sign whatsoever of any disease - the harsh conditions made the plants bolt to seed and, even though I caught and cut off any developing seed heads, the damage was done. It's still made lots of rhubarb wine, and I expect it to be back as healthy as ever next year. Fingers crossed!!

Mike