Q. My rhubarb plant has been blooming and I have been cutting them off, but recently heard that rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Are the flowers poisonous, too? Do I need to wear gloves? What causes them to bloom?
A. The flowers (and the leafy foliage) of rhubarb plant are toxic if ingested, but not generally considered a skin toxin. However, some do find the sap an irritant, so it's always a good idea to wear gloves when gardening.
It does appear that some rhubarb plants are more prone to flowering than others. Old-fashioned varieties, such as Victoria and MacDonald, are heavy seed-stalk producers. Canada Red and Valentine are less likely to bolt. Plant maturity is also a factor, with more mature plants being more likely to bolt than youngsters. Dividing the crowns every 4-5 years should help rejuvenate the planting. And, no doubt, weather also plays a role, as it does seem to be more problematic in some years. <Read More>
No comments:
Post a Comment