Rhubarb in flower already

[bario1]

Hi, i was looking forward to some rhubarb this year, but my plant seems to be sending up some large broccoli-like buds... does that mean edible stem production is over? I haven't had a single stem worth picking. Is the plant past its prime?

[Bren In Pots]

Cut off those flowering spikes and the rhubarb will carry on growing plus give it a good watering and put mulch around the plant.

[rustylady]

Cut off the flower spikes as soon as you see them, like Bren said.

How old is your rhubarb?

[alldigging]

Have four on one of my plants. Cut one off yesterday but want to get a camera out before I cut off the rest.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've got it on one year old plants this year. A lot of us at the lotty were discussing it, we have sandy soil and think it's either weather related or lack of water.
It's something you normally see on older plants but not the case this year with some of us.

[bario1]

Ok, i'll chop off the flowering stems and see how it goes... i don't know how old the plants are as they were just there when i took over the allotment last year. They look a bit tired to me anyway, other peoples' seem much more vigorous. Thanks for the replies.

[VirginVegGrower]

Maybe they are old and congested. Maybe look at dividing one next year. Too late now. Take the flower heads off as low down as you can.

[Scarlet]

I've got it on one year old plants this year. A lot of us at the lotty were discussing it, we have sandy soil and think it's either weather related or lack of water.
It's something you normally see on older plants but not the case this year with some of us.

I'm not sure it is lack of water. I have two new plants and two old ones, clay soil and its fairly wet. All are sending up flower stalks.

[MarkHackwell]

I had mine send flower stalks up last year and i eventually cut them off and have had some this year appearing and i am slowly cutting them off. Unless you want rhubarb seed take them off . My rhubarb is about 3/4 years old now so should be fine so just think its what the rhubarb does nothing causes it.

[redser]

I'd guess that it's to do with the weather, there are too many comments popping up about it right now. Bit like the multi-stem garlic last year. Still, made the first tart of the season last night, yum

[Chef_uk]

Mine is the same. Cut it off as soon as i noticed although ours probably is through stress from not dividing as we've lived here for 5 years and it was already here. Will be dividing and rehoming later this year

[binley100]

I just snap them off as soon as I see them . Had them early on last year ,after I snapped them off the plants didn't throw up any more flowers and cropped right through.

[wizzbang]

Who is already harvesting rhubarb?
I see some people have already had their first rhubarb and custard.... not jealous!!
Lynne

[binley100]

Me............. 'twas yummy

[wizzbang]

how long were the stalks!
Im still not jealous lol.
Lynne x