Flowering Rhubarb

I have read that if a rhubarb flowers, it needs either more water or fertilizer. I don't know if that's true... I had one bloom once and it was rather pretty. Since we had two more, I let it bloom out of curiosity.

I have never seen a rhubarb plant flower either..hmmm. but it certainly is a big, healthy looking plant!

Once it flowers it won't taste very good.

If blooming it is almost like the terminology of "going to seed" with some plants. Like when you see a flower on top of an onion plant. It will get tough then.

It is pretty!

I only have the one Pat so I think I'm just going to snip this thing off today. I don't want to risk the plant being unedible.

I had never seen one either Netty.

Thanks Priscilla..I'm on my way to snip these off as soon as I get done posting this! lol

That was quick then to go to see J F. It just really started coming up this last week.


Off to snip these two off! LOL

Thanks Trish...you snuck in while I posted. ;)

Well all three are now snipped off. I found a third little one when I went to cut the two off.

Yes, some do flower...we always snipped those off as well. My stepmom always made a yummy rhubarb pie.

I had never seen one before Minipin. I had no clue they flowered. I saw those buds this morning and wondered what the heck they were. lol Well they are gone now. ;)

I need to try to make something with the rhubarb this season. I've never had it but raw.

Very nice

Good shot and good gardening practice ,also.

What's a girl like me gotta do to get some of that rhubarb?

Nice shots. Your rhubarb looks a lot better than mine. I had no ideal that it could flower.

Thanks Marianne and Phil ! :)

I think you might just have to arm wrestle me for it..lol Bill likes it raw too. And I'm gonna experiment with it this year. ;) So I'm a thinkin that lil ole plant is going to be pretty picked over...lol

You should of seen this plant 2 yrs ago Marian. There were slugs feasting on it right down at the roots. The stems and leaves would just rot off. By the end of the season it was gone rotted right off at the dirt. I figured it was long gone. And now look at it. It's a fighter..lol

Have you tried the saucer of beer to get rid of the slugs? They crawl in and die.

Yep...I had strawberries planted in this area too. They ate all my strawberries. I put beer traps all over. I also saved egg shells for an entire winter to crush and surround all my plants. This supposably will slice them up as they crawl over them. I crushed all the egg shells...put my beer traps out. The *bleepin* slugs just drank the beer and I am assuming were so drunk they couldn't feel the slices caused by the egg shells...as they STILL ate my strawberries and rhubarb! lol

It is a pretty plant!

never saw them do that either..

The flower pod is actually a seed pot. The stock will get tough and not edible. You need to cut them off as soon as you see one. Unless you want them to go to seed of course.

Thanks Jo!

Me either Larry.

Ahh thanks Connie. This is the first year this has done this. I would of thought it would of went to seed after it had been out of the ground for a while....like mid summer. I'll have to keep my eye on it so it doesn't develop any more. I saw all the seeds in it as I cut it open to see what was in it. It looked like green cauliflower...lol

Hi all;

I've had rhubarb plants for 40 years, & , yes, they each have flowered for many years. The stalks that contain the flowers grow much taller than the other stalks & turn hollow & woody. That does not affect the rest of the plant stalks - all the rest, all summer long, are strong, large, & edible. The flowers smell like honey & attract bees which then find other flowers to pollinate as well. After the bloom, which can last up to two weeks, is finished the flower stalks are covered with seed which can be harvested & seeded into another area or left to fly away on their own. When all is finished, cut/break off the woody flower stalks & discard. Cut the edible stalks as wanted for fresh eating or cooking. There are a lot of ways to use rhubarb. If you want a couple of recipies, let me know.

Thank you Nancy! I would love to see some recipes. I'll watch to see if you post them on your page! :)

Had no idea they would flower.  I can see where that would ruin the plant for eating though.