I let a neighbour come into my garden for rhubarb

Question

But she cut them off quite high from the root. Now, I’ll water them to get them to grow and fill it but what happens to those stalks that are cut too high? Do they shrivel up and die or what?
I’ll not let her do this again as she burned her bridges!
I’ve another neighbour who comes in taking what she wants but she pulls them like I do which was how my mom and grandma showed me. I’m in a bit of a dilemma over this as I thought that I was doing her a favour.
Regards,
Lorna Klotz

Answer 1

It won’t hurt the plant in any way. In all honesty, she gave herself the short stick in this deal. She left most of the edible portion on the plant still, taking only the poisonous part!

The stalks left will shrivel on their own, but you can cut them off if you need. to. I wouldn’t do anymore pulling from the plants this year, though. Especially being in Canada, since for us here in the US… We have to stop picking in July or so in order for the plant to store enough energy to survive the winter.

This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/harvesting-rhubarb.htm

Here is an article that will help you to grow the plant to its potential: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/rhubarb/grow-rhubarb.htm