Simple steps to treating leaf spot on rhubarb

  • Martha Stewart Living
  • Wednesday, July 2, 2008 1:31pm
  • Life

Question: My rhubarb plants have spots all over their leaves. What are they and should I be concerned?

Answer: Rhubarb is a resilient plant, but it can develop two fungal leaf spots. Although the infections aren’t likely to kill the rhubarb, they can weaken it over time, which in turn could limit your crop.

Ascochyta leaf spot is the more common of the two in most regions. It affects only the leaves of the plant and looks different depending on the stage of infection.

In the beginning, yellow patches form on the foliage. Eventually the blemishes turn brown and then drop out of the leaf, leaving a small hole that could be confused with insect damage.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The other leaf spot is called ramularia. It attacks the leaves and edible stalks, so an extreme infestation could spoil your crop. Ramularia is occasionally called “red leaf” because the spots are crimson when they first appear.

As the leaf tissue dies, the spots turn tan, but they don’t fall out and leave a hole. After ramularia has spread to all the leaves, it will cause the stalks to turn brown and wither.

The best way to control leaf spot is to remove all infected leaves as soon as you notice the blemishes (do not throw them in a compost). The use of fungicides isn’t recommended; not only is cutting back the contaminated plant parts enough to contain an outbreak, but harmful residues could end up on the edible stalks.

Rhubarb leaf spots are common in spring and early summer. A few sound horticultural practices should prevent an outbreak.

Buy healthy, disease-free plants from a reputable source, and plant them in nutrient-rich soil. Site rhubarb in a sunny spot, and don’t overwater, as moist, stagnant conditions are ideal for fungal growth.

It’s important that you remove dead foliage when the plant goes dormant; the spores that cause leaf spots will survive in the withered matter throughout winter, lying in wait for new leaves to develop.

My bathtub has seen better days. What are the options for making it look new again?

You could just replace the bathtub, but this is a costly (not to mention messy) option better left for a total bathroom renovation.

There are two neater, more affordable solutions to consider.

The first is to have the tub relined. To do so, a professional from a relining company must take precise measurements of the bathtub and have an acrylic liner fabricated.

About six weeks later, an installer will bond the new liner to the old tub.

The second option is to have the tub refinished. This technique is similar to auto-body repair, except that it happens right there in your bathroom.

A technician will clean the tub, fill any scratches, buff the surface and spray on a few coats of enamel. The process is intrusive, but it will preserve any intricate details in the surface more precisely than a liner, plus you won’t have to wait a month and a half for your new tub.

Do you have any advice for taking a pet bird on a road trip?

Some birds travel better than others. A few practice drives around the neighborhood will determine your feathered friend’s tolerance.

Regular birdcages are not suitable carriers, however, because sudden stops can cause a bird to flutter around and get its feet stuck in the bars. Instead, use a small pet carrier (some are designed for birds, although a cat carrier will also suffice) with ventilation holes. Secure it with seat belts or bungee cords.

If the trip will be shorter than two hours, water and food shouldn’t be necessary for larger birds, such as a cockatiel. But small birds, including finches and canaries, require a constant supply.

Plan for some extra pit stops on longer jaunts, since most birds don’t like eating or drinking during excessive movement.

When packing the car, put your bird in last so that you don’t forget it’s in there — a real danger during hot summer days.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com.

&Copy; 2008 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The Musical Mountaineers perform at Everett’s McCollum Park on June 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Adopt A Stream Foundation)
Photo courtesy of Adopt A Stream Foundation
The Musical Mountaineers perform at Everett’s McCollum Park on June 14.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

Audi SQ8 Wows In Motion Or At Rest. Photo provided by Audi America MediaCenter.
2025 Audi SQ8 Is A Luxury, Hot Rod, SUV

500 Horsepower and 4.0-Second, 0-To-60 MPH Speed

Nedra Vranish, left, and Karen Thordarson, right browse colorful glass flowers at Fuse4U during Sorticulture on Friday, June 7, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett’s Sorticulture festival starts Friday

Festivities will include art classes, garden vendors and live music.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

People walk during low tide at Picnic Point Park on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Beach cleanup planned for Picnic Point in Edmonds

Snohomish Marine Resources Committee and Washington State University Beach Watchers host volunteer event at Picnic Point.

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Rose Freeman (center) and Anastasia Allison play atop Sauk Mountain near Concrete on Thursday, Oct. 5. The pair play violin and piano together at sunrise across the Cascades under the name, The Musical Mountaineers.

Photo taken on 10052017
Adopt A Stream Foundation hosts summer concert on June 14

The concert is part of the nonprofit’s effort to raise $1.5 million for a new Sustainable Ecosystem Lab.

Edie Carroll trims plants at Baker's Acres Nursery during Sorticulture on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sorticulture, Everett’s garden festival, is in full swing

The festival will go through Sunday evening and has over 120 local and regional vendors.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.