Rhubarb going to seed?

[tenchman]

Hi Group,

My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised the
following questions.
1. Should it be removed and how?
2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop?
3. Is this a sign that the root needs splitting ( its been there for years)
4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a
regular supply compost leaching.

Please can anyone advise me on this.

Thanks in advance to all those that take the time to reply.


David.

[Henry]

Post by tenchman
Hi Group,
My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised
the following questions.
1. Should it be removed and how?
2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop?
3. Is this a sign that the root needs splitting ( its been there for years)
4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a
regular supply compost leaching.
Please can anyone advise me on this.
Thanks in advance to all those that take the time to reply.
David.

Hello

The general view seems to be that if the rhubarb plant is flowering, then it
is putting resources into producing the flower head that could be used
producing edible stalks. As such, most people cut them off as soon as they
appear.

I have read other peoples posts that state that the rhubarb flower is such a
sight that it should be left purely for aesthetic purposes, and it will make
little difference to the plant.

I grew 4 rhubarb plants from seed last year, and all 4 flowered this year -
so I doubt it is a sign that the root needs splitting.

I have not harvested the flowering rhubarb this year as I feel it is not yet
strong enough (being only 1 year old). I may take off the odd stalk or two
in a few weeks. I have a few more established plants proving me with crumble
filling! However - if the plants had been older, I would have happily
harvested whilst flowering.

I cover my established rhubarb crowns with well rotted horse manure every
winter (of which I have an inexhaustible supply) - as such I doubt the
compost bin will be harming them - and is in fact probably benefiting them!

Hope this helps (Maybe I should spend more time posting and less time
lurking!).

Henry

Broadclyst
Exeter

[Brian Watson]

Post by tenchman
Hi Group,
My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised
the following questions.
1. Should it be removed and how?

I pull my flower heads out, but I think cutting it off near the ground would
work OK as long as rot couldn't get in.

Post by tenchman
2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop?

Yes.

Post by tenchman
3. Is this a sign that the root needs splitting ( its been there for years)

Probably, but not neccesaily. I've had a crown of the stuff in the same
place for six yars and it grows like decorative Gunnera!

Post by tenchman
4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a
regular supply compost leaching.

Sounds good.

:-)

[Alan Holmes]

Post by tenchman
Hi Group,
My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised
the following questions.
1. Should it be removed and how?
2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop?
3. Is this a sign that the root needs splitting ( its been there for years)
4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a
regular supply compost leaching.
Please can anyone advise me on this.

Not sure I'm really qualified to answer, but:-

I would remove it, the seed head that is, I don't think it will affect the
quality of the rhubarb which is left, but if you do eat it and you die, I'm
obviously wrong!(:-)

It would be helpfull to split the root but this is not the right time to do
it, wait until the late winter, early spring.

I would not think it is due to overfeeding, more like it's telling you to
split it.

Alan

Post by tenchman
Thanks in advance to all those that take the time to reply.
David.

[Henry]

Post by Alan Holmes

Post by tenchman
Hi Group,
My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised
the following questions.
1. Should it be removed and how?
2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop?
3. Is this a sign that the root needs splitting ( its been there for years)
4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a
regular supply compost leaching.
Please can anyone advise me on this.

Not sure I'm really qualified to answer, but:-
I would remove it, the seed head that is, I don't think it will affect the
quality of the rhubarb which is left, but if you do eat it and you die,
I'm obviously wrong!(:-)
It would be helpfull to split the root but this is not the right time to
do it, wait until the late winter, early spring.
I would not think it is due to overfeeding, more like it's telling you to
split it.
Alan

Post by tenchman
Thanks in advance to all those that take the time to reply.
David.

Hello David

I doubt it is telling you to split it - most of my plants are 1 year old
(grown from seed) and they all flowered this year. The older established
plants that probably do need splitting did not flower!

Henry

[Maurice Hood]

Post by tenchman
My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised
the following questions.

Could be down to the weather being dry and the plant

trying to replicate itself.

[Jupiter]

Post by Henry

Post by Alan Holmes

Post by tenchman
Hi Group,
My productive rhubarb has thrown up a large seed head, which has raised
the following questions.
1. Should it be removed and how?
2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop?
3. Is this a sign that the root needs splitting ( its been there for years)
4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a
regular supply compost leaching.
Please can anyone advise me on this.

Not sure I'm really qualified to answer, but:-
I would remove it, the seed head that is, I don't think it will affect the
quality of the rhubarb which is left, but if you do eat it and you die,
I'm obviously wrong!(:-)
It would be helpfull to split the root but this is not the right time to
do it, wait until the late winter, early spring.
I would not think it is due to overfeeding, more like it's telling you to
split it.
Alan

Post by tenchman
Thanks in advance to all those that take the time to reply.
David.

Hello David
I doubt it is telling you to split it - most of my plants are 1 year old
(grown from seed) and they all flowered this year. The older established
plants that probably do need splitting did not flower!
Henry

Best thing is to break off the shoot before it even gets a chance to
flower. It's not a problem at all. If you are going to divide them
it's a good idea to lift the roots in early winter and leave on the
surface to get frosted and frozen a few times, then divide and replant
in early spring. When I've done that the resulting growth has been
luxuriant.