Author Topic: Rhubarb Flowering (Read 9111 times)

delboy · « **on:** April 16, 2006, 22:59:00 »

I have 8 plants now on my allotment, but 5 are producing growths that look like turning into flower stalks.

Should I cut or pull them out to help the plants concentrate on producing more stalks now/saving strength for next year?

These plants were all grown from seed last year and planted out by October 2005.

slippy fly · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2006, 23:30:35 »

http://www.powen.freeserve.co.uk/veg/rhubarb.htm
It says here to remove the flowering stems ;D

supersprout · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:01:22 »

Hi delboy, my mum always cut off the flowering stems to 'save their strength'. If my two rhubub ever get big enough to flower, I will too :)

petemason · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2006, 08:35:01 »

Mine looked like this for the first time ever last year..........

I just sliced the flower stalks off and it produced no differently.

delboy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2006, 08:55:58 »

Slippy Fly

What an amazing site that is!

Off with those flower stalks..

MollyBloom · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2006, 09:05:40 »

Yes, unless you want to save seed for propagation, you need to take off the flower shoots to let the plant's energy go into producing leafy growth.

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2006, 10:38:12 »

A strong rhubarb crown will usually throw up one or more flower stems; take it as a sign that your plants are doing well, and break them off as soon as you see them. I spotted one on mine yesterday, but I was watering them with the contents of the pee barrel at the time, and didn't feel like pulling it off till it had had time to dry!

Rhys · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2006, 12:27:24 »

I grew my rhubarb from seed last year and they have flowered too, glad I know to cut them off now.

Columbus · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2006, 16:38:49 »

Hi Delboy, Hi Robert, :D

Quote

I was watering them with the contents of the pee barrel at the time

Serious question - are you talking human pee? directly onto the rhubarb?
Is this a good thing? ???

I just normally pee into the compost heap. It will be a year before it gets into contact with plants.

Col

cleo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2006, 17:05:59 »

Yes pull those flowering stems out. I still smile when I see posts about pee,when I first joined this internet game I was quite shy about posting,there were these ladies talking about peeing......................... :)

amanda21 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2006, 17:08:29 »

Don't the the answer re the pee but can I ask another?

I was give some bits of rhubarb in January and they were the first thing I planted on my plot. I have three plants growing now about the size you could just get a bucket over I guess. Anyway - they seem to be sending out nice pink stems and leaves every day but can I cut and use them this year or should I just let them grow? If I cany cut it this year, do I have to cut it back at all in the autumn?

Cheers

David R · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2006, 18:19:03 »

Robert,

Do you pee in a barrel at the lotty, or save it at home and transport it? This fascinates me; there are no toilets at the lotty, and I normally have to pee whilst no-ones looking. Normally this is against the compost bin, (as it provides a screen), but storing it in a barrel would be a seriously good idea.

tell me more

supersprout · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2006, 18:22:28 »

Hey amanda, if it's their first year it's probably a good idea to let them grow and 'gather their strength' (that's my ma talking again!).

David R - glad you asked the question, I was too shy :-[ :)

delboy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2006, 18:53:39 »

Is the new info on this thread a sign that it has gone "off pisste"?

cleo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2006, 19:12:57 »

Let them grow Amanda

cowellen · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2006, 19:34:06 »

:-\ there is rhubard growing along the edge of my plot - it was stickin out of the black plastic,

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2006, 19:36:58 »

I go in a bucket, and sling it in the barrel, which also gets any comfrey liquid I make. By the time it goes on the rhubarb or whatever it's well and truly gone off or whatever the term is. But I also wee directly onto plants, and it's never hurt them. Anything rather than waste good resources.

Incidentally if that's your boundary path I'd suggest moving the rhubarb away from it; a flourishing clump takes up a lot of space when it gets going. That' looks like a fairly new planting to me.

cowellen · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2006, 19:39:25 »

so the sprouts the dog pee'd on will be ok then - phew :P

bennettsleg · « **Reply #18 on:** April 18, 2006, 08:45:10 »

Quote from: Rhys on April 17, 2006, 12:27:24

I grew my rhubarb from seed last year and they have flowered too, glad I know to cut them off now.

Just ordered a load of seed; Do they require any special care to grow? Ma always says plant them on an old compost heap (which I plan to do so) but can I scatter them and they'll grow or do I go the long way round of into a seed tray etc?

David R · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2006, 09:37:53 »

thanks Robert,

A good idea, and one i shall be trying. If nothing else, peeing into a bucket or bottle can be done in the privacy of ones own car!

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Author Topic: Rhubarb Flowering (Read 9111 times)