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Do any of you gardeners know about rhubarb?

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Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 4 May 2005 11:21

Why does our rhubarb produce a massive seed head as soon as it grows after the winter?... And what do I do with it? Can new plants grow from that seed? ....... My mother has several plants and they have never done this.

Mags

Mags Report 4 May 2005 11:31

Gwyneth! - It's a TRIFFID! - KEEP AWAY FROM IT!!! LOL No - what you have is probably an immature flower spike and it should be broken/cut off as close to the ground as you can. If allowed to flower or produce seed the plant will get weak. Propagation is by splitting the crowns - a bit late now. Usually February/March time. Magsxx

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 4 May 2005 11:36

Thanks Mags. I wonder what you can do with weak rhubarb?? The plant has done this each spring for the last few years and I wondered why. It's not at the end of the season, it happens before I've even had chance to harvest any of the stems.

Mags

Mags Report 4 May 2005 11:51

Make weak custard??? I suppose it might die - but I have even had one root regrow in an incinerator before now in the ashes of it's disposal! LOL I suppose the poor thing is ever hopeful of being allowed to set seed and throws up these spikes. You just get a better/stronger crop if you cut it off. Magsxx

Derek

Derek Report 4 May 2005 11:53

hi gwyneth, i agree with mags on this one, your rhubarb desperately needs splitting up, if your`e not going to get any rhubarb this year then consider doing it now, that way you might be lucky & get a late harvest, cheers derek,,...

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 4 May 2005 11:58

Derek, Thank you for your help. I'm not sure what you mean. I only have one smallish crown. ie. one plant not really big enough to split I would have thought.

badger

badger Report 4 May 2005 19:12

Your plant is only doing what comes naturally ,it dos'nt matterwhat size it is.,do as suggested and pull out the seed heads as they come up.If you want more rhubarb this year ,i would suggest getting a couple of more crowns.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Researching:
Baird,Barnes,Sturgess,King,Bristow, Mead,Brooks,Lane,Bartlett, Tyneside Chesham, Bucks,London & home counties

DAVE B

DAVE B Report 4 May 2005 19:28

Love Rhubarb but it is a right job getting pie tins that long isnt it! lol! Dave

Len

Len Report 4 May 2005 20:10

Dave, Try a fish kettle. lol Len

Annie

Annie Report 4 May 2005 23:49

use rhubarb instead of slug pellets when planting potatos it works just as well

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 6 May 2005 10:43

Thanks for all your help. Still unsure why this happens when my mother's plants thrive wonderously on neglect.

Unknown

Unknown Report 6 May 2005 10:46

Hi All MMMMMMMmmmmmmm...... Rhubarb! All I know is that it goes into my tummy fine! And as the only one in my house who loves it - gets a full pie to herself! Of course with lashings of custard. Got to keep my portly figure this shape somehow! lol YUM YUM Vikki xx