[Consolsbob]

We have successfully grown rhubarb for many years. Very early, eating in Feb. with no forcing. No idea what variety.

Fot the last two years one crown has gone to flower shooting long stems and very thick but green stalks. Can the stalks still be eaten? We are thinking about replacing with a later variety. Any ideas as to cause?

[cbu183]

I thought you had to remove the flower stalks as soon as you see them because otherwise all the plant's energy goes into producing seed rather than stalks.

I don't know whether you can eat the stalks if you let the plant flower.  Someone else will be along.

[gobs]

Seedling or mutant from division, I don't know what happened there.

But there are green, pink and red rhubarb varieties, all edible, stalks that is.

[Alex 98]

You should divide and move Rhurbarb every few years.
Some varieties need this more than others, ie Victoria
The plants need revitalising and respond well to this
The flower stalks is the sign that the plants has become tired and worn out.
The plants are tough but this should really be done in the autumn

Alex 98

[Consolsbob]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. We did think that the plant is probably getting on but they have all been divided and moved to their present location about two years ago last autumn.

Will find a later variety and replace I think.

[Snap Dragon]

The flower stalks is the sign that the plants has become tired and worn out.
The plants are tough but this should really be done in the autumn

Alex 98

Thanks for that tip...

My Mum inherited rhubarb on the allotment she got last year... she had loads off it... it has grown well this year but has thrown up loads of flower spikes... I'll tell her it'll probably be best to split it in the autumn.

[crowndale]

Mine threw up flower stalks this year but went in as brand new crowns last year, so can't think that its old yet!

[sawnee]

Mine threw up flower stalks this year but went in as brand new crowns last year, so can't think that its old yet!

The same thing has happened to me, bought three plants (in pots) from a garden center and one of them (the sickly looking one of the bunch) has thrown up a couple of flowers,got rid of these and the plant is now going great guns

[Alex 98]

The beauty of nature...always there to prove you wrong

Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb......

Alex 98