Do I need to do any maintenance on wild rhubarb?

Question

I have a couple of wild rhubarb plants growing in my backyard and am really excited about getting to use the end product, but I need to know if there is anything I need to do for these plants during the season..
Do I need to cut them back ever? When is the right time to harvest stalks?
...any info you can give to a novice here would be appreciated!

cheers!

Answer 1

Lucky you! No, actually the plant pretty well takes care of itsself. At season's end, the old leaves fall away, so a little housekeeping to remove the debris will help. I'd give them some manure or compost, but not up against the plant, out a ways. (the best plants I ever had grew on a compost pile after it stopped "cooking."

Eventually the plants get it in their head to flower. When you see the flower stalk coming up, cut if off immediately. The plant's quality will decline after it begins to try to flower.