Thin Rhubarb stems.

[Trixie2]

My rhubarb plants were given to me three years ago, as parts of established crowns which had been split. I have not been able to take any stems for cooking as they are always too thin. The leaves are huge and very healthy looking. I'm told the original plants were fine so I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing wrong. I have fed them with horse manure and chicken pellets each year. Any suggestions please.

[julia-mag]

I put three crowns of rhubard in last year and didn't pull any at all, just left them to die down and put the energy back into the roots. This year the stems were thin but tall and I thought it was going to be disastrous, but I made my husband leave it and lo and behold it grew 2.1/2 feet tall and strong thick stems. I have now had 3 pickings from it, but all of a sudden something is eating the leaves, huge great chunks! iF IT IS SLUGS they must be absolute monsters, haven't seen any sign of them. Weird.

[maggiebee]

Think you have been feeding them too well Trixie and that's why the leaves are so big. Rhubarb is best neglected most of the time - stop feeding.

[mrs_overall]

I've always found that rhubarb thrives on neglect. Strange but true.

[mrs_overall]

Maggiebee - snap!

[johnk]

Try using compost instead, even unrotted stuff will do, and plenty of it. What you've been using sounds a bit harsh.
Julia, probably snails, take a torch out at night and have a look.

[rowanwitch]

Big juicy leopard slugs they only come out at night

[julia-mag]

Thank-you, yes there were some very stripy slugs around, golly can they chew.....