Rhubarb is a hardy vegetable prized for its tart stalks that add vibrant flavor to pies, jams, and other dishes. However, the large, lush leaves that fuel the plant’s growth often fall prey to various pests. As an avid gardener, I’m familiar with the frustration of discovering rhubarb leaves riddled with holes or otherwise damaged. Identifying the culprits is the first step toward protecting your plants.
Through my experience cultivating rhubarb, I’ve found slugs, snails, and certain beetles to be the most likely offenders that enjoy feasting on the leaves. While the damage they inflict can appear dramatic, there are various organic, environmentally friendly ways to deter these hungry pests and maintain vigorous rhubarb plants. Beyond controlling pests, employing good horticultural practices creates optimal growing conditions so your rhubarb can thrive and reach its full potential.
Common Insect Pests Attacking Rhubarb Leaves
If you notice ragged holes or a lace-like pattern of damage on your rhubarb leaves, you are likely dealing with some hungry invertebrates. Here are the most common culprits and how to identify their activity
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Slugs and Snails – These gastropods create large, irregular holes and may leave behind telltale silvery slime trails on foliage. They thrive in the cool, moist environment under rhubarb’s large leaves.
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Flea Beetles – Small 1/16 inch beetles that can quickly riddle leaves with many tiny holes giving them a peppered appearance.
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Rhubarb Curculio – A 3/8 inch long snout beetle that punctures stalks to lay eggs, damaging and weakening the plant.
While heavy feeding can negatively impact plant health and productivity, the good news is there are several organic control methods that can protect your rhubarb leaves and help your plants prosper.
Organic Pest Control Strategies
As an environmentally conscious gardener, I advocate using preventative measures first before resorting to any chemical intervention. Here are some effective, non-toxic ways to control common rhubarb pests:
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Deter slugs and snails with copper tape around plant bases which they avoid crossing or use beer traps to attract and drown them.
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Pick off any beetles you spot and hand remove eggs to squash infestations before they multiply.
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Apply diatomaceous earth as an abrasive barrier that deters soft-bodied pests.
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Encourage beneficial predators like birds, lady beetles, and ground beetles that feast on these insects.
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Improve air circulation and avoid overcrowding to create an environment unfavorable for pests.
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Remove garden debris and weed thoroughly to eliminate hiding spots and food sources.
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Use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or kaolin clay sprays for moderate infestations after trying preventative measures.
Implementing multiple strategies creates an integrated pest management plan tailored to protect your rhubarb while supporting a naturally balanced garden ecosystem.
Optimizing Growing Conditions for Healthy Rhubarb
The best defense is a good offense when it comes to pest prevention. Growing rhubarb in optimal conditions improves plant vigor, making it more resilient against insect attacks. Here are some key tips:
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Plant in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter. Rhubarb thrives in loam and appreciates compost.
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Ensure adequate sunlight. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun per day for robust growth.
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Water thoroughly after planting and provide 1-2 inches per week, avoiding saturated soil.
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Give plenty of space between plants for air circulation.
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Amend soil to maintain a slightly acidic pH between 5.5-6.5.
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Allow for winter dormancy with freezing temperatures to stimulate growth.
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Remove any diseased or pest-ridden plant material promptly.
Taking proactive steps to provide an ideal growing environment will result in healthy, vigorous plants that can better withstand and outgrow pest damage.
Rhubarb is susceptible to various pests that can prey on its lush leaves, but there are many organic solutions available to the discerning gardener. Identify the culprits through clues like leaf holes and plant punctures, then employ natural pest deterrents and cultivation methods that discourage infestations. With observation and quick action, you can enjoy thriving rhubarb plants and savor the sweet-tart stalks they produce. Implementing preventative cultivation techniques and organic pest control fosters an ecological balance where your rhubarb and beneficial insects can both flourish.
What to Expect at the Emergency Room
The provider will measure and monitor the persons vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:
- Activated charcoal
- Breathing support, including oxygen through a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and a breathing machine (ventilator)
- Blood and urine tests
- Chest x-ray
- ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
- Fluids by IV (through the vein)
- Laxatives
- Medicines to treat symptoms
How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
Symptoms last for 1 to 3 days and may require a hospital stay.
Serious poisonings can result in kidney failure. Deaths have been reported, but are rare.
DO NOT touch or eat any plant with which you are not familiar. Wash your hands after working in the garden or walking in the woods.
Graeme KA. Toxic plant ingestions. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbachs Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 65.
Ryan ET, Hill DR, Solomon T, Aronson NE, Endy TP. Poisonous plants and aquatic animals. In: Ryan ET, Hill DR, Solomon T, Aaronson NE, Endy TP, eds. Hunters Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 139.
Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Rhubarb 101 – Everything You Need To Know About Rhubarb
FAQ
What animal eats rhubarb leaves?
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Deer:Deer are generally not drawn to rhubarb due to its strong taste and the toxicity of its leaves.
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While not a primary food source, rabbits may eat rhubarb leaves, and it’s even been noted that some rabbits seem to enjoy it, possibly due to its high oxalate content.
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Rodents, like mice and squirrels, may also nibble on rhubarb leaves, especially if they are young and tender.
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Slugs and Snails:These garden pests can be a problem for rhubarb, particularly in moist conditions, as they may eat the leaves, especially at night.
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Caterpillars:Caterpillars can damage rhubarb leaves, and like other garden pests, they are more active at night.
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Other Pests:Beetles and earwigs can also feed on rhubarb, and they may hide during the day, making it difficult to spot them, says Tui Garden Products.
How to get rid of holes in rhubarb leaves?
Remove diseased leaves and stems as soon as they’re discovered and do a thorough clean up in fall. The rhubarb curculio is an occasional pest of rhubarb, feeding on the leaves and stems. You may notice sap oozing from the damaged stems or notches of missing tissue on the leaf edges.
Do coffee grounds help rhubarb?
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Nutrient Source:Coffee grounds are a good source of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth.
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Soil Acidification:Rhubarb prefers a slightly acidic soil, and coffee grounds can help lower the pH of the soil.
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Slug Deterrent:Some gardeners find that placing coffee grounds around the base of rhubarb plants can deter slugs from crawling on the plant.
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Weed Suppression:Coffee grounds can help prevent weeds from growing around the base of the plant.
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Other Benefits:Coffee grounds can also improve soil structure and water retention, says the Plantura Magazin.