RHUBARB flowering

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by varallo, May 6, 2011.

  1. varallo

    varallo Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2010
    Messages:
    54
    Location:
    Italy
    Ratings:
    +0
    My rhubarb had a reasonably good picking being the third year but it seems to want to flower a lot and I am cutting these flowers back (they have hollow stems)
    Is there as reason for this ?
    Cheers,
     
  2. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2009
    Messages:
    8,731
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +12,318
    Hi

    You are best pulling them out from the base rather than cuting as this will help stop any dieseases getting in to the plant , one of the reasons they are holow they are putting all the energy into the flower to produce the seed , its just what they do more some years than others it may be the very cold winter we have had as well .

    Spruce
     
  3. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2006
    Messages:
    17,534
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Suffolk, UK
    Ratings:
    +12,667
    Rhubarb flowering everywhere this year. Stress from the cold winter.

    I've never managed to pull one off at the base, I just break the heads off once they are "up", the leaves [on the flower stalk] can then contribute to the energy for the plant, without it having to Flower and Make Seeds.

    I did try cutting a flowering stalk off at the base one, and it bled (i.e. pumped water up from the roots) like a stuck pig, so I don't recommend that

    Christo Lloyd was dead against taking the flowers off Rhubarb, saying it made no difference. I've got a lot of respect for his writing and opinions :) but I take the flowers off mine ...

    having said that, on that basis I ought to take the flowers off my Potatoes too, but I don't know anyone who does that other than exhibition growers.
     
  4. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2006
    Messages:
    1,382
    Ratings:
    +21
    Mine was flowering too, so a friend of mine who is more experienced than me just pulled it out from the base, hasn't flowered since.
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice