O/T RubarbQuestions

fregienewbee · May 12, 2009

What is the proper thing to do when the rubarb "flowers?" Do you pull the flowering stalk or let it go to seed?

Larry in Michigan

greygoat · May 12, 2009

We cut it off. If you leave it to go to seed,
it robs all of the plants energy, and you only get thin spindly stalks.
Wife made the first rubarb cake yesterday--YUM !
The same recipe is used for apple cake, in the
fall, with apple slices in the batter.

rustyfarmall · May 12, 2009

We cut them off also for the same reason. Wife made our first rhubarb pie Sunday.

John B. · May 12, 2009

Yes snap or cut the seed stems off and only pick a third of the stalks. If you pick more than that you will set the plants back for a long time.
My dad has 550 stalks of rhubarb and sells it to produce stands. Then in the fall he digs part of the roots up and pots them to sell. What a racket!!

rustyfarmall · May 12, 2009

Our rhubarb was originally growing right smack dab in the middle of where I wanted to build a shop building, so I dug it up and replanted it in the garden. This took place right in the middle of summer, so I wasn't real sure if it would survive, but we kept it watered every day for maybe a week, and that rhubarb never knew it had been moved. That happened about 10 years ago. Last fall I dug up and divided several of the plants, and those new plants are doing quite well this spring.

onefarmer · May 12, 2009

I put mine right next to the old outhouse. You'd think it would be well fertilized there, but the barb was just small and spindly. I dug a trench around the plants and filled it with rotted horse and cow manure covered it back over with dirt. Whoohoo did it take off.

fregienewbee · May 12, 2009

Thanks for the info--I did the right thing. My wife has a terrific recipe for rubarb muffins. Maybe we need a "ladies section" for recipes. Sure like rubarb pie.I grew up slicing it into thin strips and putting salt on it.

Larry in Michigan

thurlow · May 12, 2009

Ladies section for recipes??? I resembel that!! :>) I probably cook as much as anyone on these forums, but I've never been called......nor mistaken for.......a lady.

bruster · May 12, 2009

I have mine in scarce shade, and all of the other HUGE stemmed plants I've seen have been in mostly shade
Mine is the red variety , but the stems are only 1/2", small, and haven't grown much a year after spiting.

O/T RubarbQuestions

fregienewbee

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greygoat

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rustyfarmall

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John B.

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rustyfarmall

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onefarmer

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fregienewbee

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thurlow

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bruster

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