Topic: Comfrey roots

[caroline7758]

Got some free comfrey plants from an allotment neighbour this morning. Given how they had spread on his plot,I'm guessing they are not Bocking 14, which I already have but haven't put much growth on yet. I chopped all the leaves off and put them in my potato trenches and have re-planted a few bits, but was wondering what is the best thoing todowith the rest of the roots- bin, compost, or can they be used to make feed like the leaves?

[landimad]

Try this to see if it helps

http://www.organicgardening.com/featureprint/1,7759,s1-3-81-726,00.html

[caroline7758]

Thanks, that's a useful article, but sadly doesn't mention any uses for the roots.

[landimad]

Work your way through the link that started me off and see

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=comfrey+roots&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

[caroline7758]

This is an interesting one from your page, Landimad:

http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF

Maybe I'll try the gout cure on my "pained joints" from digging up the comfrey today!

Seems the main gardening use is to grow more comfrey! But lots of medicinal uses.

[:(]

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Symphytum+officinale

[small]

Bin.  They will withstand any harsh treatment you can throw at them, and still come back for more.  I hope you get away with lining your trench with leaves - I did this in a bean trench over 20 years ago, and have had comfrey coming up in that place ever since - it's also broken through block paving in places - so repeat, bin!

[Jeannine]

Comfey is banned on our lottie sight and the few folks who had it have been told how to remove it, it is so invasive, it could spread from the lotties into the park we are in and take over so it all has to go.

XX Jeannine

[Robert_Brenchley]

Mine has never spread, but I agree it's almost impossible to get rid of.

[landimad]

Never been sure of the medical properties,
I keep mine confined in some drainage tube which is about 3' across and 2' deep.
Once the hole was dug and tube put in the rots have been fine in this.
I have no fear of the plant setting seed as this type has not set any seed in my garden as yet.
I agree that you can do anything to chop it down and it still comes back, with vengance sometimes but to be honest I only use it to chop down and put into the waterbut for making feed for me plants.
Roots are definetly in a bin or burnt.

[caroline7758]

Comfey is banned on our lottie sight and the few folks who had it have been told how to remove it, it is so invasive, it could spread from the lotties into the park we are in and take over so it all has to go.

XX Jeannine

Seems a bit extreme, given all its uses!

[tonybloke]

Comfey is banned on our lottie sight and the few folks who had it have been told how to remove it, it is so invasive, it could spread from the lotties into the park we are in and take over so it all has to go.

XX Jeannine

the 'bocking 14' strain does not spread by seed. so it's  not invasive like the wild variety

[Jeannine]

It is cos the lotties are in a protected state park so nothing that can spread is allowed XX Jeannine

[caroline7758]

Think I might stick a couple of bits in a corner by by compoet bin at home, to help my compost along but without invading anywhere important., I'll bin the rest!