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why is my rhubarb flowering?
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James



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2866
Location: York
PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 15 6:34 pm    Post subject: why is my rhubarb flowering? Reply with quote
    

Every year, my rhubarb puts out lots of flowering spikes which I fastidiously remove. This year so far, I've removed 7 spikes. I see other peoples crown with no spikes.
What gives?

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 15 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Running to seed prematurely, in most plants is a sign of stress - ie It Ain't Happy !

Is it in a container which is constricting it's roots ?

Otherwise try a lot of water - unless it's waterlogged - then drain it !

A general purpose fertiliser in copious amounts - Phostrogen ?

James



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2866
Location: York
PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 15 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Its 3 yrs old in its current location, 3 yrs in a previous location. Since we got it 6 yrs ago, its flowered every year.

The soil is reasonably loose, friable loam. I top dress with garden compost every year prior to start of growth.
Its in full sun & sheltered.

I've not yet watered this year, but normally during cropping and through summer I do water. Having said that, it's a bit early to be seeing water stress, isn't it...?


The plant is showing no signs of nutrient defficiency. I'd guess nitrogen is the nutrient most needed by rhubarb, and I've never seen any sign of N problems.

In terms of it's neighbours, on one side there's a black current, on the other side is veg, to the north of the rhubarb (about 3m away) there's an apple tree, and in front of it is lawn.

sueshells



Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 690
Location: North Bucks
PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 15 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Where did it come from? Did you get it from a Garden Centre/Nursery or was it something a friend grew from seed? Just wondering if it could be a seedling strain with a higher propensity for flowering than throwing up shoots.

Other thing - have you split the crown at all or just replanted the whole thing when you moved it? If the latter then it may just be under stress and flowering as a defence. If it was container-grown and very root-bound when you bought it (assuming it's not a mad flowering seedling) and then it hasn't been split since that could account for it flowering every year.

Cathryn



Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion
PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 15 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My rhubarb is flowering! It's not done that before. Two of the four plants I have. Three are the same type and have been in for three years. I suppose I am too late taking them off as well.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 15 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The majority of rhubarb plants sold now are grown from seed. In the old days they where nearly always just split from old crowns.
My theory is the seed raised plants hava a propensity to produce more seed. ie. flower.
I've got a dozen or so plants I raised from seed & they to flower every year. A neighbour has an old crown that was probably a hand me down from her granddad & I've never seen it flower.

Cathryn



Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion
PostPosted: Sat Apr 18, 15 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You could be right as I think these are from seed.

I do have ready access to a triffid like rhubarb,m I shall make sure to have a piece of that when it's divided.

Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Sat Apr 18, 15 9:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Does it actually matter if it flowers?
I know the theory that it puts its energy into flowering instead of making rhubarb, but I've got far more rhubarb than I know what to do with anyway.

Are the flowers any good for bees and things?

sueshells



Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 690
Location: North Bucks
PostPosted: Sat Apr 18, 15 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hairyloon wrote:
Does it actually matter if it flowers?
I know the theory that it puts its energy into flowering instead of making rhubarb, but I've got far more rhubarb than I know what to do with anyway.

Are the flowers any good for bees and things?


Good point! I think there is such a thing as too much rhubarb. The flower spikes are impressive. Would think they'd be popular with bees etc.

sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Sat Apr 18, 15 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

judith always left hers to flower on that basis ISTR.

James



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2866
Location: York
PostPosted: Sat Apr 18, 15 6:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sueshells & tavascarrow : I never even considered it may be from seed. I agree that if they're grown from a flowering plant, the chances are greater that they'll flower.
The plant was a wedding present from a neighbour, I think she bought it. She also gave us some 'Ben Lommond' blackcurrents, which aren't that common & I know she has a different variety, so my feeling is that she bought it, but I can't remember a label.

I've not split the crown because it's only recently started growing vigorously. Last year was the first year we managed to put any away in the freezer.

The stems are also remarkably green. I wish they had more blush on them.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 15 5:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The colour is only a matter of cosmetics. If you want your stewed rhubarb to have some colour add a bit of beetroot or food colour. Some green stemmed rhubarbs are a really good flavour and some red stemmed ones are really acid.

gythagirl



Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 1467
Location: Somerset
PostPosted: Thu Apr 23, 15 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My rhubarb is also flowering like mad - all 3 crowns - for the first time. They are divisions from a friend's crowns (gardening-girl!) planted 3 years ago, and although I've had the odd flower spike towards the end of the season, this is right at the beginning...

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 15 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Is it too dry? It has been quite dry here over the last few weeks, and it could be that lack of water has stressed it so it wants to make flowers and seeds.

gythagirl



Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 1467
Location: Somerset
PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 15 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'm sure that's the case, we haven't had appreciable rain for a while either. I say that with crossed fingers...

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