Rhubarb, rhubarb

[Bert]

I have several crowns of rhubarb in my garden. The stalks grow only very short, though the leaves are very large. They have not been planted here for very long. I understand they should not be forced when they are fairly recently planted. I have put a plastic dustbin over some of them for a short time and obtained a few long stalks, but when I go past allotments I sometimes see rhubarb that seems to have been left to fend for itself and there are masses of really long stalks.
How do I get the rhubarb to grow long stalks? - I have been watering them during this dry spell - perhaps not enough? Is rhubarb really thirsty?
Thanks.

[johnk]

Rhubarb needs plenty of organic matter, it's a bit late for this year but when it dies back put a couple of buckets of compost / manure on top. Do this each year and the stalks will improve