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Rhubarb

Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800
in Fruit & veg

Hi All, 

A couple of quick questions;

1. How do I know when the rhubarb is ready to pick?

2. It is growing flowers.....more than last year!!   Do I just chop these off and do they harm the plant/rhubarb?

Pic below taken just now.

Thanks.

image

 

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Posts

  • ColinAColinA Posts: 367

    Hello

     

    I cut off the flowers as they take energy from the plant. As for when to pick pull the stems when they are long enough to use --usually about a foot or more long.

    I was always advised to stop pulling rhubarb in July so that the plant can build up strength for the next year

  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800

    Thanks Colin......rhubarb and apple pie or crumble for tea then image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,743

    I take the flowering spike right out at the bottom - it's a shame 'cos they look fantastic, but they take all the strength from the crown.  

    I picked some more today - we're having this  http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1977645/rhubarb-and-ginger-queen-of-puddings for supper this evening image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







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  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800

    Ooh that looks good Dove and even better them it's a James Martin recipe.....double yum image We are just having plain old rhubarb and apple crumple I'm afraid, but we do have lovely Cornish ice cream to go with it.

    Only about 1/3 of the stems were long enough to cut anyway, which is why I've mixed it with apple.

    So do you just let the stems die after June/July?  Last year I cut some really late, about Sept and they are a bit tough then so. I made chutney.  I have never had my rhubarb start so early, I think it might be the BBF I fed all the plants with image 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,743

    Yes, leave the stems after July - then as they die down the goodness goes back into the crown to build it up for next year - if you pick it for too long you'll just get weak spindly growth the following year and the crown won't increase in size.

    I stop pulling mine May/June time as I encourage it to be early by using a forcing pot.  

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • flumpy1flumpy1 Posts: 3,117

    is it true you should move your rhubarb every couple of years? my rhubarb went really limp last year image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,743

    Last summer was very dry - I watered mine a lot.  Was yours thirsty?

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • flumpy1flumpy1 Posts: 3,117

    i watered it a lot but it just went limp and very thin image so i have move it in hope it will do better this year image, but i will keep my eye on it image

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