rhubarb plant w/red leaves, now dead

Question: I just pulled rhubarb 1x this summer. In Colo, I've pulled rhubarb for 3 months. When the leaves started turning red, I did an online search & asked people who grow rhubarb. Showed them a picture of my plant. No info. I planted this plant approx 14 yrs ago, live on the side of Pikes Peak at 8,000 ft. Yesterday I went out to dig up the roots & not successful as the root ball goes to the center of the earth. I'll go back out w/saw & bigger shovel. What is your recommendation? Should I have the soil tested somewhere? Bring some root in when I'm able to remove it? When do I replant, spring or fall? Thanks for your help. I was a 4-H kid in KS & the Extension office was a valuable resource.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 16, 2024, 9:05 PM EDT
response: Kay,  Thank you for your questions and pictures.  We have a few questions to ask you before trying to diagnose your rhubarb issues.  1. How old is the plant?  2. How many hours of direct/indirect sun does it get per day?  3.  Have you ever divided the plant?  4. How often do you water? 5. Do you fertilize? If so with what and how often?  6. Lastly do you know what variety it is? We will wait for your responses.  Kindly,  Kerry P Colorado Master Gardener, El Paso County

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 16, 2024, 11:31 PM EDT
response: 1. How old is the plant? approx 14 yrs 2. How many hours of direct/indirect sun does it get per day? NE side of Pikes Peak sun up to sundown 3.  Have you ever divided the plant? no. I pull weekly May- Sept 4. How often do you water? every couple days depending on if we have rain 5. Do you fertilize? If so with what and how often? I dig up around the plant spring & stir in compost 6. Lastly do you know what variety it is? no, after we moved to CO, a neighbor gave me a start from hers Thanks for your response. Kay Bachus   From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension  Sent: Friday, August 16, 2024 7:05 PM To: Kay Bachus  Subject: Re: rhubarb plant w/red leaves, now dead (#0151449)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 22, 2024, 3:16 PM EDT
response: Hi Kay! Thank you so much for the information. I had the same thing happen with my rhubarb this year. I think the plants die back when we have really hot streaks, even with extra water they sometimes can't handle the intense sun and heat. Next year try to give your plant some temporary shade. If you look closely, your rhubarb looks like it has some new growth coming up in the center. So it should return. I would let it come back this fall and overwinter before trying to dig it up.  The best time to divide and transplant rhubarb is in the early spring. As new growth is starting very early in the season, use a clean, sharp shovel to cut the plant in half or in thirds. Move the divisions to newly prepared planting sites, or give them away. You can also dig up the entire plant and divide it using a sharp knife. A soil test could also be helpful. I found I had too much organic matter for some of my plants.  I have attached some articles with more information. Let us know if you have more questions. Good luck and happy rhubarbing! Pam Master Gardener El Paso County   Colorado State University’s Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory:  https://agsci.colostate.edu/soiltestinglab/  They offer a basic soil test for $30. Fill out the Horticulture Soil Submission Form.  Ward Laboratories:  https://www.wardlab.com/services/soil-health-analysis/  Their routine soil test costs $21.50.  Weld Laboratories:  https://weldlabs.com/  Their routine soil test costs $20.  https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=20266#:~:text=Die%20back%20is%20a%20common,flop%20over%20to%20the%20ground.  https://foodsmartcolorado.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Colorado-Rhubarb.pdf https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-rhubarb