rhubarb question?

Question

I have a robust rhubarb crown that has been reliably producing two, sometimes even three crops a year for the last 7 years. This year it is off to a vigourous start - but in addition to leaves has produced two large leafy 'clubs' - which are now turning into brocolli-like florettes..

what is this? is it bolting? going to seed? should I remove them? propogate them??

I live in the Pacific Northwest

Answer 1

According to http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-growing.html

Rhubarb plants will occasionally send up seed stalks with flowers in the middle of the plants. These stalks can occur due to natural maturity of the plants. Some varieties of rhubarb are more likely to flower than others. Victoria is known to be a flowering type. Flowering will reduce the vigor of the plant. Energy is funneled into the stalks instead of new growth for rhubarb growth as a vegetable. If the plant is grown as an ornamental the tall stalks of flowers (Victoria has white (greenish)) is quite impressive. The flower and seed stalks should be cut out as soon as they start forming. The plant may still continue to produce the flower stalks so keep cutting. The plants do NOT become poisonous after flowering starts. The leaf stalks can still be cut and used and the leaves themselves are always poisonous.

Answer 2

If your rhubarb is anything like that in the the central north it's going to seed. The rhubarb in my back yard grew wild so that may affect what I'm about to say; but every year they go to seed toward the end of the summer. They start out looking like Broccoli but grow up to 3 feet tall (on mine) and look about like thin trees then it drops a million seeds that look like little leafs. it doesn't seem to hurt the rhubarb much except when the seeds begin to dry out, the rhubarb seems to be fewer but longer and thicker.
If your rhubarb is like mine; which produces from any where from 10 to 20 shoots in a cluster usually, but with seed is reduced to about 7-9; I'd say clip them, the shoots are bigger but they by average weight are a smaller crop. Or you could try to save and plant the seeds if you like. (but I, being an amature have never succeeded in getting a plant from playing with the seeds)

Answer 3

Wow and yes, it is going to seed.
What a shame but this does happen... the plant is throwing seeds as a sign of distress - seeding before it dies.
You should take divide the plant so as to keep a piece before it does.
Have you been fertilizing it? Perhaps it is just tired and needs a boost. We always gave ours a good heavy top dressing of steer manure in the fall.
In the mean time remove the flower / seed pods.

Answer 4

I don't know - but, if you have too much rhubarb and need to get rid of some, send it to me!!! I love the stuff and it's too expensive here to buy and I have no place to grow it where I live.. love it in vinegar!!!!

Answer 5

prolly got some seed heads going cut them off

don't bother saving seeds a root cutting is the way this plant
is propagated

Answer 6

That's the flower coming up. Cut if off!!

I find when this starts happening it's time to divide the plant and start anew.