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#1
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Rhubarb going to seed?
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. |
#2
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Rhubarb going to seed?
"tenchman" wrote in message ... 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 |
#3
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Rhubarb going to seed?
"tenchman" wrote in message ... 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. 2. Is it safe to keep harvesting the crop? Yes. 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! 4. Could it be overfed? (its growing next to the compost bin and gets a regular supply compost leaching. Sounds good. :-) -- Brian |
#4
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Rhubarb going to seed?
"tenchman" wrote in message ... 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 Thanks in advance to all those that take the time to reply. David. |
#5
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Rhubarb going to seed?
"Alan Holmes" wrote in message ... "tenchman" wrote in message ... 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 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 |
#6
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Rhubarb going to seed?
"Henry" wrote in message
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. -- Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG |
#7
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Rhubarb going to seed?
On Thu, 11 May 2006 22:49:14 +0100, "Henry"
wrote: "Alan Holmes" wrote in message ... "tenchman" wrote in message ... 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 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. |
#8
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Thanks for your help Terry |
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