Author Topic: Comfrey plant question. (Read 2112 times)

slippy fly · « **on:** May 02, 2006, 20:49:35 »

I have been offered some comfrey plants already a foot high.Does anyone know if I can dig up the plants and replant them into my plot or will they die as I know they have a long root and I probaly won't be able to dig the whole root up.

katynewbie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2006, 20:52:59 »

I was given some about 3-4 weeks ago, chucked them in and they are grwing away happily! Try it...don't think it's easy to kill!!

;)

SMP1704 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2006, 20:54:55 »

Hi

I have received 3 plants via the swap shop from other A4a'ers (thanks ;D) Each plant had about 3.5 " of root. I planted out the same day I received them and watered well. They sulked for a few days but now look very happy and on their way to establishing themselves.

I think that as long as they got plenty of water in the early stages, they will be fine.

HTH

slippy fly · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2006, 21:00:27 »

:o :o Thanks very much thats my question answered in under 10 mins :o Thanks!!!

slippy fly · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2006, 13:24:49 »

Just a thanks for the info ;D.I dug some up and planted them they looked like they were dying for a couple of days but after keeping them watered they soon perked up and are growing great.
I read a few posts saying they were invasive etc but I find them a most attractive looking plant and they use the rough ground by my compost bins up nicely.
Should they be cut down before or after flowering and how low should I do it ???

Merry Tiller · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2006, 14:43:06 »

Cut them before they set seed, unless they are the Bocking14 strain which rarely sets viable seed. I cut them to a couple of inches above ground level, it's amazing how quickly they grow back

supersprout · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2006, 15:27:39 »

You can cut them three or four times a year. I like to leave the flowers on my Bocking for a few days to please the bees ;D

slippy fly · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2006, 19:42:52 »

Thanks for that ;D

MrsKP · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2006, 22:21:09 »

i got my HUGE bit from an A4Aer and that's taken hold really well (apart from a couple of munches out of the leaves), but the 5 small bits that I actually forked out hard cash for, were sliced through (presumably by our sluggy friends) overnight.

they are now protected so i hope they'll recover.

::)

supersprout · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2006, 20:52:53 »

Comfrey patch on Friday in the sunshine; front row cut three weeks ago, back row ready for its second chop of the season. I think it's so beautiful, never get tired of looking at it 8)

cardinalflower · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2006, 21:20:15 »

Hey supersprout, they look great. Are they two different varieties? I was sent some from the swap shop but mine didn't take :( Just seemed to go all rotten and died on me.

supersprout · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2006, 22:59:32 »

Thank you cardinalflower, no, they are both Bocking (slips from OGC last year) but look very different at various stages of growth - can't wait to go and admire them when I arrive at the plot, and I specially like the contrast of new and mature foliage :)

artichoke · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2006, 05:31:25 »

We have quantities of comfrey growing "wild" over a couple of banks well outside the allotment, and I help myself. What do you all do with it? I have buried some underneath climbing beans and half-heartedly placed some leaves around tomatoes, but I intend to use them more this year.

I know they can be soaked until they rot, and the smelly juices used as plant feed - what else?

supersprout · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2006, 06:36:43 »

Mulch for anything, laid atop the soil
Green layer in compost heap
Laid into runner bean/spud trenches
Wrapped around spuds at planting time
Tea (as in stinky barrelfuls for plants)
Leaves boiled then wrapped around sprained ankle/broken bones as a poultice. NB let them cool first ;) ;D

MrsKP · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2006, 07:51:12 »

another daft question, do you cut individual leaves or chop the whole bush ?

mine are nowhere near as mature as yours sprout, but they're coming along nicely.

artichoke · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2006, 08:48:04 »

Thanks, S Sprout, v useful checklist.

supersprout · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2006, 11:12:17 »

hi kaypee,
chop the whole bush, leave about 3-4 inches. It looks horrid for a week, but that's all it takes for the new sprouts to hide the stalks.
Down to the comfrey patch wiv the little sickle then? 8) ::)

MrsKP · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2006, 11:16:58 »

thanks sprout. think i've a while to go yet, although i've noticed someone tried to "help" last night and trod on one while he was "helping" me with the compost bin, if you get my drift ;)

found a footprint in one of the flower beds as well and the MIL disposed to a coolbox full of water and flattened me radishes!

thank goodness the "first england match of the world cup party" only comes round every four years.

it's some other mugs turn next.

8)

John_H · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2006, 13:50:41 »

I've planted some around the compost heap, it helps to catch the 'run off' in the soil and recirculate it back into something I can then make liquid feed from.

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Author Topic: Comfrey plant question. (Read 2112 times)