Bolting!! Already?
When you want blooms, you use the term 'flowering'. When the blooms are undesireable, you use the term 'bolting'. Rhubarb has the tendency to bolt when the weather gets too warm, and the soil becomes dry and in need of nutrients. Some plants are also prone to bolting - mine, a 'Valentine' is among them. If you allow a rhubarb to bolt, the plant will focus more of its energy into the bloom(s), instead of growing nice-sized stalks for harvest. If you want a good crop, you should remove the flower buds as soon as you see them. This one appeared just a few days ago and has grown at least a foot in that span of time. I lopped it off after taking the picture, along with about five others. Geesh. It has been hot and dry for the past several weeks - and I've only watered the rhubarb plant as an afterthought. Oops. It is also about four years old - it is time to divide it. |