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Rhubarb About to Flower??

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Bilbo675, Mar 25, 2012.

  1. Bilbo675

    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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    I planted 3 Rhubarb plants last year and resisted picking any stalks, leaving them to build up strength and get a good root system down. They've all sprung into life over the last 2 weeks and there's plenty of new growth; but on checking them more closely today at least 1 of them has what looks like a large flower bud emerging.

    Should I leave it or try and remove it to direct it's strength in to leaf/stalk production?

    Any tips please?

    Thanks :blue thumb:
     
    Bilbo675, Mar 25, 2012
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  2. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    It's bolting. Cut it off Bilbo, water and mulch the plant.

    Steve...:)
     
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      Steve R, Mar 25, 2012
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    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

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      Most people take them off, I think the plant "bleeds" like a stuck pig if you do, and Christo Lloyd always left his on as he liked to see them flower and thought it made no difference to the plant's "production".

      But by all means take the flower stalk off

      (You're sure its a flower? My leaves have only just started to appear ... but mine usually carry flower stalks at some point in most years)
       
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        Kristen, Mar 25, 2012
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      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

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        My thoughts also, as my leaf buds are just starting to show and I'm a long way south of Derbyshire. Do they look like this Bilbo:

        [​IMG]

        Although I guess there could be some rhubarb flower buds about as I saw full blown flowers in the 2nd week in April on holiday in West Somerset last year:

        rhubarb flowers.jpg
         
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          Scrungee, Mar 25, 2012
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        • Bilbo675

          Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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          Hi Scrungee, yes that's the one, it's just a little more advanced than that and starting to open; you can see all the small flower buds..
           
          Bilbo675, Mar 25, 2012
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          I'd wait until you know for sure that's it's a flower, Bilbo. I always remove the flowers as Geoff Hamilton used to point out "making a flower takes plant energy and I'd rather have the energy going into making the stalks." Let's face it, unless you want the flower for decorative purposes the flower serves no purpose as we propagate Rhubarb by division.
           
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            ARMANDII, Mar 25, 2012
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            If you do remove the flower stem (I usually do) make sure you cut it very low as the stem is usually hollow and can retain water and rot.
             
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              shiney, Mar 25, 2012
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