Why does your Rheum rhaponticum have drooping leaves? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Rhubarb has large, expansive leaves that lose moisture quickly through transpiration. When soil moisture is insufficient, the plant loses turgor pressure, leading to visible wilting and drooping.
Excessive moisture in heavy soils can lead to fungal pathogens like Phytophthora attacking the rhizome. This prevents the roots from absorbing water, ironically causing the leaves to droop even in wet soil.
Extreme summer heat can cause Rhubarb leaves to wilt during the day as a defense mechanism to reduce surface area exposure. This is often temporary and recovers once temperatures drop.
Rhubarb is a heavy feeder that requires significant nitrogen to maintain its large leaf structure. A lack of available nitrogen can lead to weakened cell walls and less structural integrity in the petioles.
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