What to do with tiny rhubarb leaves?

I have a load of tiny leaves on my rhubarb crown.

Should I trim them or leave them?

 

Leave them - the stalks of those little leaves are the Rhubarb that is forming.

 

I have a root of Rhubarb that has only ever had tiny leaves and very thin stems, not sure if its the variety or my bad growing conditions, it does get pretty dry in summer and shady.

 

Leave them to feed the bigger ones that will come.
When did you plant it?
Keep well watered and feed. Rhubarb are hungry plants.

 

Mulch surrounding area with FYM
Water if not rained upon this week.
A liquid feed added to the rain water, such as Tomorite, will give it a boost.
If newly planted (within a year), do not crop until established (next year)

 

You need the leaves to help the crown grow thanks to photosyntheses. Do not eat the leaves they are poison. Compost or bin them when you pick the stalks. Only force the rhubarb every two years to give the crown time to recover.

 

Thanks for the comments. The plant is 4 years old and up until last Autumn was in a planter.

I transplanted it last year and this year tiny leaves have come through, Previous years saw a decent crop of larger leaves first.

I'll feed it and maybe pick some of the smaller ones?

 

Don’t pick them, leave them be and they will grow. Even the small leaves are helping to feed the plant

 

Pull some of the bigger stems when there 5 or 6 stems with big leaves and make a crumble!

You may know already, but when picking rhubarb never cut the stalk at the base.
Always pull the stalk away from the plant, so that it comes off the crown complete.
If you cut it, then the bit that remains will rot and may damage the crown.

 

I'm a little confused by the question, to be honest - why would it ever be helpful to remove healthy leaves from a plant you're wanting to grow?

It is the leaves that create the sugars that build the stems that we eat...