Why did my rhubarb not come up this year?
Was this a new planting?
It is recommended to not harvest from the first season, to feed the plant.
Also the plant may need some winter protection. Covering the plant with leaf mulch, but not the crown can help.
Though Rhubarb is hardy once established, it can die from root rot.
I have also heard of rodents eating the roots over the winter months.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/grow-rhubarb.htm
We planted one plant last year. This year it is trying to go to seed. What should we do, if anything? Thanks Anne Hyde
This article will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/rhubarb-bolting.htm
Are the green stalk varieties of rhubarb as tasty as the red?
There are many opinions on this vary question. Some people feel that the green varieties are more tangy and some red varieties can be touted as more sweet-tart.
I actually grow both a red and green and cannot tell any difference, I just like the color differences in my baking and making jams!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/harvesting-rhubarb.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/grow-rhubarb.htm
How close can I cut my well established rhubarb? I have friends asking me to share cut rhubarb stalks. My plants are quite well established, so I need to know how much I can cut the plant back with out jeopardizing root strength for next year.
Generally, you want to only cut back the plant by 1/3 in order to preserve the strength of the plant. it is not so much a matter of how far down the stalk you cut, but rather how much of the leaves you take. You can cut stalks right down near the base of the plant but try not to remove any more than 1/3 of the leaves in one season.
We were given mature rhubarb plants by a friend and told to divide them up into smaller bunches last fall. We planted them immediately and left it alone till this year expecting to be able to get even a few little mature stalks to pick this summer. Well it came up this spring. All the stalks and leaves look healthy at first, but then the leaves start getting brown rust spots, turn yellow and die. The stalks with leaves get to about 18 in. long but are very thin. Are they still usable this year? After the the leaves start to yellow, the stalk becomes weak and starts to die.
Here is an article that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/brown-splotches-on-rhubarb.htm
If I want a rhubarb plant to produce more, would I just have to harvest it more often? Or would a better fix to this be to plant more plants for next season, either this fall or in the spring?
Over time most Rhubarb plants will increase in size and produce more stalks.
I would suggest planted more Rhubarb to increase your supply.
There are many varieties available and having a few different plants can open up many culinary possibilities!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/types-of-rhubarb.htm
The plants look very strong, have almost 18" diameter leaves and it is late July. Do we leave the stalks in for the rest of the summer? Do we pull the stalks or cut them so the roots can develop for next year? We are in central MN so it is hot now and we have cold winters. We also have some tan colored leaves on a few stalks like they are dry or beyond season - should we pull those stalks out?
Go ahead and cut and discard any old and damaged leaves and stalks.
If the plant has lots of stalks, go ahead and eat these. Just make sure you leave some stalks on the plant to feed the crown so that it has energy stored to survive the winter. Let it die down naturally as the fall arrives.
Here are some links for you with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/grow-rhubarb.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/protecting-rhubarb-in-winter.htm