A rhubarb seed stalk is a fascinating part of the plant’s life cycle. It starts off as a vibrant, green flower stalk that emerges from the center of the rhubarb plant. The stalk is thick and sturdy, with a texture similar to that of the rhubarb stems themselves. It can grow quite tall, reaching heights of up to 6 feet or more.
As the flower stalk matures, it begins to develop small, green seed pods along its length. These pods are initially small and tender, but as they continue to grow, they become more elongated and develop a slightly tougher texture. The pods are typically arranged in clusters along the stalk and can vary in size, ranging from a few centimeters to several inches in length.
As the rhubarb plant continues to mature, the seed pods gradually change color. They start off as a vibrant green but gradually transition to a pale yellow or brown hue. This change in color is a sign that the seeds inside the pods are developing and maturing.
When the seed pods have fully matured, they will eventually dry out and become brittle. At this stage, the pods and the entire rhubarb seed stalk will turn brown. This is the ideal time to harvest the seeds from the plant.
To harvest the seeds, you can simply clip the stalks with a pair of snips or break the brittle branches off by hand. It’s important to handle the seed stalks gently to avoid damaging the pods and releasing the seeds prematurely.
Once you have collected the seed stalks, you can carefully remove the seed pods from the stalks. The pods can be gently crushed or rubbed between your fingers to release the seeds. It’s important to be patient during this process, as the pods can contain a large number of tiny seeds.
After separating the seeds from the pods, you can store them in a dry, cool place until you are ready to plant them. It’s a good idea to label the seeds with the variety and the date of collection to keep track of them.
A rhubarb seed stalk is a unique and interesting part of the plant’s life cycle. It starts off as a green flower stalk, develops small green seed pods, and eventually turns brown and dries out. Harvesting the seeds from the mature seed pods is a simple process that can be done by clipping or breaking the stalks and separating the seeds from the pods.
