[wighty]

My Rhubarb is in it's second year and I have noticed it's throwing up  two 'flower like' heads. Do I cut them off  or what.  I was really looking forward to having some 'Poo bar' as Laura called it as as a child (just so she could have some ice cream!)

[Aunt Sally]

Cut them off.  They are flowers and will sap the strength on the plant.

[wighty]

Thankyou Auntie, I knew what I had to do just wanted someonee else's opinion.

[DD.]

Third opinion - Off with it's head!!!!

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, next year try putting a tall bucket over one of the plants, forced rhubarb is wonderfull.

[Yorkie]

If the plant is only in its second year now, I'd wait another couple of years before trying to force it.  Forcing exhausts the plant and if it's not sturdy enough can kill it; at the very least it will reduce the yield the following year.  But yes, the taste is very different I'm told.

[Paul Plots]

My Rhubarb is in it's second year and I have noticed it's throwing up  two 'flower like' heads. Do I cut them off  or what.  I was really looking forward to having some 'Poo bar' as Laura called it as as a child (just so she could have some ice cream!)

Thanks for asking this question!! I was wanting to know exactly the very same thing.

Also, like you, I nearly chopped the flower off when I saw it today.... but thought I'd check "with those who know" first.

My 3 two year old plants must be related to yours.

[Stripey_cat]

Hi, next year try putting a tall bucket over one of the plants, forced rhubarb is wonderfull.

I'm not excited by it: it's sweeter and blander, and a lot less rhubarb-like!

[DD.]

Me neither.

I forced a plant one year, by the time it was stewed there was little left and the crown was usless (polite term) the next year. The variety on Mrs Digger's plot was ready at the same time & tasted as rhubarb should.

[crowndale]

I like my rhubarb in its natural form too and the stuff on my plot was ready way before the chaps next door (plot) that was under a bucket.  the stuff I inherited on my plot is brilliant but I think I over did the pulling last year becoz a few sticks have been really spindly this year.  needs separating too.  but had my first rhubarb and ginger crumble of the year on monday, yummy!

[wighty]

Heads chopped off and put in the bin to go to the Council tip.  I know Rhubarb leaves are poisinous so wondered about putting them in my compost bin?

[DD.]

Composted, they're fine.

[nicchick]

I had flowers on my rhubarb in it's second year last year and someone said it could have been to dry as it's near the house in a southfacing garden. I was all smug this year until this morning blooming flowers appearing! I was comforted today when I noticed that the rhubarb expert at the allotments also had some buds forming and was promptly told by the head of allotments that it was because it needed dividing. Mind you he keeps trying to get us to force rhubarb and we don't want to...Nic.