Several of my rhubarb plants are going to seed! I have never had that happen and am so surprised it’s happening this early in the season. Has anyone ever had that happen before?
This is one in the back yard. I showed it to Vince. At first I thought the rhubarb was making some kind of fruit, then it started looking a bit like a cauliflower (the texture). When I showed it to Vince, he said “there’s one in the front bed doing the same thing”. I went and looked at it and it has actually produced a bloom. There’s one on the side yard doing the same thing.
I read that they can do it if they’re stressed – too hot, too little water, a fungus. I can’t imagine that they’ve had too little water. I checked for a fungus. We’ve already had some 80+ degree days. I don’t know if that could have done it. Some of them get too little sun; some of them get what I thought was just the right amount of sun.
I guess the good news is I can collect the seeds and plant more rhubarb.
Rebecca says
I always cut them off whenever they come because the rhubarb will stop producing if you leave them on.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you! I talked to a friend last night and he told me the same thing so I cut them off this morning.
Leslie McMillen says
This happens always where I live – not sure why but I break this off before it gets big and the plant continues to grow well.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you. I had never seen it before but a friend told me it’s common here too and recommended the same thing – cut it off so I cut both of them this morning.
montanaclarks says
When I’m sick of finding ways to use rhubarb and I’ve given as much away as people will take, I let mine go to seed. Currently my rhubarb is buried under a huge pile of snow my dear husband dumped on the area where the rhubarb is planted. I’m sooooo tired of cold and snow! I think if you keep it picked it doesn’t go to seed??
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I was able to freeze dry some last year and had enough to last a while. My bed is fairly new so I’ll probably not get a whole lot of extra this year but the freeze dried worked great in those rhubarb cream bars I like.