Rhubarb gone to seed

Hello all

I have one rhubarb plant in a container which I planted last year. Was lovely and productive but was told not to pick anything the first year so I have left it.... this year it seemed to come back to life pretty quick and whilst we went away its gone a bit crazy.

I believe its "gone to seed" as has grown very tall and has very cute little seed pod/flowers that have come out.

My father in law however visited recently and looked at my poor rhubarb in shock and shook his head in a "what have u done manner"! And then told my hubby that I really shouldnt have left it go to seed, its the wrong thing to do apparently!!?? oops!

Is this true? have I ruined my chance of any rhubarb crumbles? what should I do to the rhubabrd now??

Thanx in advance!

 

Hi Ellen and Welcome to GC if I have missed welcoming you Please don't panic.All is not lost.My Rhubarb plant over at our allotment has sent up a flower spike which it normally does at this time of the year.Do what I do and just break or cut off the stalk that has the flower head attached to it and chuck it away or onto your compost heap or in your compost bin if you have either of those.

Just keep watering the plant and give it a feed with some tomato fertiliser from time to time.The palnt really likes a good drink of water and should give you a bit of a crop this year but the stalks might just be a bit thinner until it gets esatblished. Don't harvest too many stalks this year and don't harvest any from July to give the plant time to put its energy back into the crown.

Next year onwards you should be able to start harvesting more stalks but if you have any more flower heads either this year or any other year just break them off and get rid of them.Going to seed just saps the plant of energy especially as you are taking from it as well.

Enjoy your plant and your crumbles:thumb:

 

Fantastic :thumb:
Thx very muc
am looking forward to my fac crumble then and can reassure my father in law that "i knew what i was doing all along really"!!! he he!
:D