[whistler]

Hi all,

Two out of five crowns are coming into flower.  Do you think it's because it's so dry? I gave them all a good watering today.  I've pulled a few sticks only from the non flowering plants.

Shall I cut the flowers off or let them  continue?

Thanks for any help.

[DavidT]

I`d cut the flowers off.

[Ice]

I would remove the flower stalk immediately and keep the rhubarb watered.  Mulch with rotted manure if you can to keep the moisture in.

[mumofstig]

Take them off as soon as you see them! and they should settle down to making leaves again.
I think it's a response to the cold winter...but who knows

Nice to see we all agree for once

[Ice]

I think it's more of a response to the dry conditions.  No water, we're gonna die, better send out some flowers to help us procreate in case our owner lets us die.

[mumofstig]

well, my rhubarb is doing the same and the soil is still moist roughly 2 inches down, so I wouldn't think that's the reson here ...like I said who knows? 

[realfood]

Some of the older varieties do what is normal for them and regularly produce flowers. I also have a modern variety that has never produced a flower. In any event take the flower bud off.

[Kristen]

I "pull" leaf stalks for eating but "cut" off flower stems and the flower stalk stubs then exude water for several days, so I water the plant to compensate - maybe I should "pull" the flower stalks too?

 Mine flower every year (well, for each of the last few years which is as far back as I can remember!)

[whistler]

Thanks for all the replies.   

I have cut the offending flowers off, watered again, it is really warm and dry here at the moment.

[janette]

I let mine flower a couple of years ago then planted the resulting seeds and grew some more plants they are still ok

[Babstreefern]

Nothing to do with wet or dry conditions.  Its part of the plant.  Cut the flower off at the base of the stalk.  Won't do it any harm.  Basically, its justing to "seed"

[kermit]

Just noticed mine are flowering too (they're first year after sowing last spring).  Just gave then the snip, as advised.  Hopefully they will put all their energy into long tasty stems now 

[andy135]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but is it better to pull stalks or cut them?

[Trillium]

Pulling is better as it will take out the whole stem and not leave a bit at the bottom to potentially rot.