Quick Action Needed for Rhubarb Bolting Issues - Expert Gardeners Reveal Why It Spoils Crops and How to Swiftly Solve It
Welcome to the vibrant spring season, otherwise known as rhubarb season! 'Tis the time to harvest those tangy, succulent stems for all your favorite desserts, savory dishes, and drinks. This humble plant is incredibly versatile and easy to grow, making it a popular addition to any garden.
However, there's one common concern that can affect your rhubarb harvest during spring - bolting rhubarb, a phenomenon where the plant opts to create flowering and fruiting stalks instead of edible ones. It's part of the plant's natural life cycle, but it's not what you want when you're yearning for a bountiful harvest.
So, in this handy guide, I'll be addressing the causes, nipping the problem in the bud with some practical tips, and imparting some simple strategies to keep your rhubarb from bolting in the first place. I've seen it all in my years of gardening -- from professional kitchen gardens to my very own vegetable plots, and I'm here to share with you the dos and don'ts when it comes to combating bolting rhubarb.
What Triggers Rhubarb to Bolt
Bolting rhubarb is a common sight, but it's not something to worry about per se. It's the plant doing its natural life cycle and blooming. But for your succulent rhubarb stems, it's not an ideal situation as it affects your harvest.
The most common cause of bolting rhubarb is warm weather. This delightful plant thrives best in cooler temperatures, and when temperatures exceed 75°F (24°C), it starts to bolt[1][2]. However, some varieties are more susceptible, particularly the heirloom varieties like 'Victoria' and 'MacDonald', and older clumps tend to bolt more than younger rhubarb plants[2].
How to Handle a Bolting Rhubarb Plant
The key takeaway: Don't let rhubarb plants bolt without taking action! The plant pumps all its energy into flowering and fruiting at the cost of the overall clump's health.
While the rhubarb flowers are quite attractive with their large white or yellow blooms, it's best to remove them quickly to let the plant focus on producing delicious rhubarb stems for your table[3].
Fortunately, bolting rhubarb is easy to detect and manage. Keep an eye out for thick, cylindrical stems with red or pink streaks growing from the crown during spring. These stems may have a bulbous end that resembles cauliflower as they unfurl.
If you notice signs of bolting, act promptly. Grab your clean, sharp pruning shears or a sharp knife and snip the bolting stem as close to the base as you can. But don't rest on your laurels; be vigilant, and remove any bolting stems as soon as they emerge[3].
Strategies to Prevent Rhubarb Bolting
Plant Placement and Shade
For rhubarb that suffers from bolting due to hot temperatures, consider moving it to a cooler spot. While rhubarb loves the sunshine, it can tolerate shade and benefit from some protection, particularly in hotter US hardiness zones[2].
Regular Watering
Keeping your plants well-watered during spring eases stress and can potentially prevent bolting in rhubarb. Use a soil moisture meter to check soil moisture levels to avoid letting the ground dry out[2].
Mulching
Mulching around the plants provides two advantages: it helps retain moisture in the soil and insulates the roots from high temperatures[2].
Rhubarb Division
Divide your rhubarb plants every 4-5 years to maintain their vigor and manage bolting[2]. Rhubarb crowns can live for over a decade, but older clumps produce smaller stalks and bolt more frequently.
FAQs
Can You Consume Rhubarb Flower Stems?
The flower stem is excessively fibrous and not tasty. It is also likely to contain a lot of oxalic acid, just like rhubarb leaves, which are poisonous to both humans and animals. So, steer clear of those flower stems and enjoy the flowers themselves[3].
Growing Rhubarb from Seed
If you're looking for a budget-friendly way of cultivating rhubarb, consider growing it from seed. It's a slower approach but can be a rewarding journey, with a waiting period of at least three years before you get your first harvests[3].
Recommended Tools and Accessories
- Growing Rhubarb from Seed: Rhubarb 'Victoria' seeds at True Leaf Market--discover the delight of homegrown rhubarb!
- DeWit Perennial Spade - perfect for digging, planting, and splitting rhubarb crowns
- Gardening gloves made of full-grain cowhide and split cowhide -- wear them for all manner of gardening tasks
- Know when it's time to water your plants with this soil moisture meter--its large, easy-to-read dial gives instant results[4]
- To maintain a robust rhubarb harvest and deter bolting, it's essential to provide your plants with an ideal lifestyle, which includes cooler temperatures, regular watering, and strategic placement in the home-and-garden, such as in a shadier spot during summer months.
- In the event your rhubarb plants begin to bolt, don't despair! Prompt action can still salvage a satisfying home-and-garden produce yield. Simply remove the bolting stems as close to the base as possible and continue with your gardening practices to encourage growth and prevent future bolting episodes.
