You can definitely harvest rhubarb seeds! Rhubarb is a perennial plant that produces flowers and eventually seeds. While many gardeners primarily grow rhubarb for its stalks, harvesting seeds can be a fun and rewarding process.
When it comes to harvesting rhubarb seeds, timing is key. The flowers of the rhubarb plant will initially appear as small clusters of greenish-white buds. As the flowers mature, they will open up and reveal small yellowish-green flowers. These flowers will eventually turn into green seedpods.
To know when it’s time to harvest the seeds, you’ll need to keep an eye on the seedpods. As the seeds develop, the seedpods will start to turn brown. This is a sign that the seeds are maturing and are ready to be harvested. It’s important to note that the entire rhubarb branch, including the seedpods, will dry out and turn brown.
To harvest the seeds, you can either clip the stalks with snips or break the brittle branches off by hand. Make sure to handle the seedpods carefully to avoid damaging them. Once you have collected the seedpods, you can gently crush them to release the seeds.
It’s worth mentioning that rhubarb plants are typically grown from divisions or crowns, rather than seeds. This is because rhubarb plants grown from seeds may not produce the same characteristics as the parent plant. However, if you’re interested in experimenting with different varieties or simply want to try your hand at growing rhubarb from seeds, harvesting rhubarb seeds can be a fun and educational process.
Here are some key points to remember when harvesting rhubarb seeds:
1. Monitor the flowers: Keep an eye on the rhubarb flowers as they develop. Once they turn into green seedpods, it’s time to start thinking about harvesting the seeds.
2. Observe the color change: Watch for the seedpods to turn brown. This indicates that the seeds are maturing and ready to be harvested.
3. Harvesting methods: Use snips or break off the brittle branches to collect the seedpods. Handle them gently to avoid damaging the seeds.
4. Seed extraction: Once you have collected the seedpods, gently crush them to release the seeds. Be careful not to crush them too hard, as you want to keep the seeds intact.
5. Growing from seeds: Remember that rhubarb plants grown from seeds may not produce the same characteristics as the parent plant. If you’re interested in maintaining specific traits, it’s best to grow rhubarb from divisions or crowns.
While rhubarb is primarily grown for its stalks, harvesting seeds can be a fun and rewarding experience. By monitoring the flowers and seedpods, observing the color change, and using careful harvesting and seed extraction methods, you can successfully harvest rhubarb seeds. Whether you’re looking to experiment with different varieties or simply want to try something new, saving rhubarb seeds can be a great addition to your gardening endeavors.
