[Kathogur]

I have a flower coming on my rhubarb.  This will be the third summer and I havent had a decent stick of rhubarb as yet.  I was hoing this would be the year.  What should I do about the flower, leave it or cut it off.

[arh]

cut it off in my opinion.

[snowdrops]

Either pull it from the base or cut off asap, then give the plant a good water, it maybe it is too dry or some plants just produce numerous flower stalks each year, one of mine does but I just keep removing them. I still get rhubarb to pick though

[Kathogur]

Thank you , thank you,,, off to cut it now

[steved]

How old is the crown?
It may be worth digging it up and splitting it up into pieces, then replanting to re invigorate it.(at the end of the growing season)
I did this with a crown I inherited on a plot I took on that did nothing but throw up flower spikes and it and its pieces now ensure I have more rhubarb than i could ever need-I dont like the stuff, but I know an in-law that does!
Its not thrown up a flower spike since.

[AlaninCarlisle]

My experience says that the cause of flowering spikes is either dry or poor soil  or both. One of my rhubarb roots gave the same performance - it was close to a hedge - and then when I moved it and smothered it with manure over winter it performed like a star the following spring

[arh]

Oh dear, , I planted mine next to the hedge in October, (gave it plenty of manure though), now I think about it, Grampa's  rhubarb was out in the open, ( I was brought up by my Grandparents, "2nd WW etc,etc.), it's growing though, may have to change it in the autumn.

[8doubles]

IMO the best place is next to the compost heap* , any run off of nutrients will keep the rhubarb healthy.
Just pull off flowers asap .
* Away from the hedge!

[Kathogur]

So far three flower spikes.  It is next to a hedge.  I have a space next to mu compost bin but it is a bit shady, wonder if it is worth moving to there.  I will certainly move it later as it looks like I will have a few sticks this tear.