Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Rhubarb query.

ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
in Plants
I bought a sorry looking rhubarb plant for £1, two droopy stalks and a 4ft flower, I've planted it and cut the flower off but I think I might have cut it wrong. The bit I've cut is now hollow resembling a straw leaving a hollow stalk into the plant, is this going to cause any problems? 
«1

Posts

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Only if the rain (or other water) gets in and rots the crown @Thebigeasy, you need to protect it until it dies back.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2020
    I agree. 👍
    Now give it plenty of water throughout the summer  and lots of organic mulch and just let it grow. Don’t pick anything ... let it build up a viable crown and store up energy for next year. Hopefully you’ll be able to pull a few stalks next year and by the following year you’ll have a really productive plant 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    How would I protect the hollow part? 
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Up-end a jam jar over it?  
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Cover it?  Plastic bag, flower pot, straw.....  I pinched the end and tied a bit of plastic on temporarily. You need to check it regularly though and once it starts to go just bend it over.

    Mind you it has only ever happened to me once - my own fault.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    Would this do
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Fine, just keep an eye on it and make sure there is no problem underneath the plastic.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    If it is not possible to cut it right to the crown, I usually put a slit in one side so it can drain. The problem can be avoided if the flower stalk is taken off early if it flowers in the future. At first the stalks are solid and only hollow out as the stem matures.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    That's good to know Gemma, I think I've got a flower stalk erupting in the middle of my rhubarb crown, so better to and check - thanks!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ThebigeasyThebigeasy Posts: 190
    What kind of problems should I look for underneath? 
Sign In or Register to comment.