Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => Swap Shop => Topic started by: DavidW on January 15, 2009, 15:23:08
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Anyone got some Bocking 14 Comfrey to swap?
Thanks
David
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where are you?
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South Wales
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Oooh I'm looking for some of this too! Anyone with a cache of this might find they're in a very good trading position! :D
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Me too. I would like some of the good stuff. I will pay the postage to Brum
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I've got loads of bocking 14.
P.M. me for root cuttings!!
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Think you promised me some before, Tony, and asked me to remind you in the spring- not that I'm pushing in or anything! ;), and it's not really spring yet, but if it's ready.....
Will send you a PM.
oops, just remembered it was froglegs and calendula who offered it before, so I'll leave you alone, Tony!
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David, helen and shirl, I'll send half a dozen root cuttings to each of you, when the ground warms up a bit.
In the mean time prepare a well manured, perrenial weed free site, each plant will need at least 4 square ft (60cm X 60cm ;))
This is a great little booklet, http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/publications/guides.php
well worth the £1.35 price tag ;)
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This is a free pdf booklet, it might not be as good but still worth reading.
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF (http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF)
PM sent Tony.
Neil
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that's a really good pdf, neil !! thanks for the link, ;)
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Great stuff, thanks Tony! And Nilly, for the link.
Let me know if there was anything you'd like from the swaps list I PM'd you.
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Sorry if i'm hijacking your thread David, but it might be usefull to you too ;)
Can they be grown in between fruit trees or would they interfere with the roots?
My trees are about 5' apart and i was going to grow strawberries and flowers under them but comfrey would be ideal as i don't have the spare space at the moment.
Neil
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Cheers Tony.
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This is a free pdf booklet, it might not be as good but still worth reading.
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF (http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF)
Neil
read the pdf neil!! (they would prefer their own site) def DO NOT plant comfrey under (or close to) a fruit tree. ;)
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What happens if you plant them under a fruit tree? I did read the (free) pdf, didn't see anything about fruit trees or trees?
I was planning to put mine next to my big cherry tree - any reason not to?
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the comfrey is a deep rooted, long term plant, it will out - compete your fruit tree, you are growing comfrey as a CROP ! give it a bed on it's own, just like you would for asparagus
I'll post some piccys in a minute, just got to resize 'em >:( ;D ;D
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here's a piccy of one of my comfrey beds today, mulched and snug for the winter[attachment=1]
here's a couple of piccys of the comfrey shoots under the mulch.[attachment=2][attachment=3]
;)
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It will have a patch of its own - but I planned for that to be within a few feet of my cherry tree! I'm talking about a big, established ornamental cherry, not a fruit producer as far as I know (only lived here 3 months) so I'm not worried about its 'crop' being affected. The tree needs a major haircut, but I can't do that till summer - am a bit worried it's going to shade about a quarter of the garden when it comes into leaf, but I'll just have to put up with it till a dry spell in the summer, when it will be getting a drastic re-styling. Went and bought some loppers a few days ago. :)
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sounds fine!! ;)
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Great! The comfrey can have a corner to itself there. I'm thinking of putting a barrier round the bed to discourage it from wandering...
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is it right you should only use this type on allotments because it's less likely to spread seed?.
i bought some comfrey seeds at the malvern show but it isnt bocking 14?
should i not use the stuff i have ???
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send me your address, I'll send some root cuttings!
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I read in one of Caroline Foley's books today that because liquid feed made from comfrey is alkaline it should not be used on chalky soils. What do you reckon?
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that's a new one on me! ;)
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Comfrey is good for any soil!! I spread the leaves under Tomato plants as well as making comfrey "soup". I am on chalk !
Louise
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That's ok then- thanks!
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Hi
I have some comfrey on my allotment and I've just dug some up.
anybody know if you can just plant bits of root, or do you need a green shoot at the end. If you can just plant bits of root - I have loads. I'd be up for some swapping or would be happy to send some if postage is sent.
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Is yor comfrey DEFINATELY bocking 14????
it's the only cultivar that doesn't spread by seed.
If you check out this thread, I am already giving some cuttings (bocking 14) to several folk on here.
in answer to your question, just plant any bit of root, it will grow!! ;)
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Yes it is definitely bocking 14. I planted it a few years ago and the seller was certified organic and listed it as bocking 14.
I've had no trouble with it spreading and have divided it and made a new patch, but the old patch has been dug up to make way for other things and the crowns are huge. I know you can plant the bits with the green buds poking out (coz that's what I did), just wondered if the bits of root would also grow.
As I say - people always seem to be looking for it and they are welcome to some if they want it as I now have loads. :)
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Hello to you all,
I'm new here. I have just read about Bocking 14 Comfrey this week and it sounds like the ideal stuff you should grow on your allotment. Not only can you make Comfrey Tea (a liquid fertilizer), but you can bung it on your compost heap and use it as an activator.
I hope this isn't a cheeky question, especially as I'm new here, but I wondered if anyone would be prepared to send me some root cuttings. I'd be really grateful.
Well I'm going to have a look around the forum now see what other interesting things you guys are talking about.
Teen
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How much do you need to make it worthwhile & how much space does it need. We only have a 1/2 plot.
Janet
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11 parcels posted first class today!! will be with you all in time for the equinox, rgds, Tony
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plant the roots about one and a half inches to two inches deep. you can cut them into shorter pieces if you want more plants. any bit one and a half to two inches long will grow into a healthy plant. you can start them off in pots if you like, but keep them outdoors.
rgds, Tony ;)
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Tony, i have a mystery package here is it comfrey from you?
I know i was after some but not sure if i asked ::)
If it is comfrey thankyou so much
lbb
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Would love some please. How do i get it and pay you for postage and packing?
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Hiya tonybloke, got my comfrey today, ta very much. Very naughty of you not to put return address on them though, so nowhere to send postage. Can understand you not wanting to rewrite it 11 times but this kindness has cost you about £16. Bless ya but will be looking for ways to repay your goodwill in the future. A little bit of tonybloke comfrey all over the country. Cheers :)
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" just think what you could do with the money you save by not smoking" ;)
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Hello Tony,
Just wanted to say a BIG thank you for the comfrey roots I received them today and potted them up. Hope I've done it right ::)
I'm very grateful.
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Same here, big thanx Tonybloke. Planted them out in their bed today.
Was listening to GQT on radio yesterday and one of the panel (Bob Flowerdew, I think) said to plant loads of Borage as this annual can be used the same way as Comfrey, he said it was at least as good as. So maybe I'll plant them both together?
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Borage is avery pretty plant and great for attracting bees, but it does self-seed madly!
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Thanks for the tip on Borage I have some of this on my plot and yes it does tend to pop up in different places, but doesn't take much to remove and its pretty easy to spot. I like it just cause the bees to. I have a soft spot for them. :)
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It's become a weed on my plot, so it's good to have a use for it!
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I'd like some as well if you've any left. Thanks
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Hi Digging, welcome to the site, if we haven't said so before... :)
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OK I admit straightaway that when it comes to growing plants I haven't got the patience of a saint.
Has anyone's cuttings started to grow yet? Just so I know I haven't done something wrong, you understand. ::)
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I see no ships neither, I was wondering about this yesterday as well :)
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I have put my comfrey in a bed next to my nettles. Think I will get myself some borage to make another bed. 3's a good number isn't it. Thanks again Tony
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Do you really have a nettle bed? That's cool. I keep contemplating but keep thinking people will think I'm nuts if I do that. There are so many benefits to them including the same things as Comfrey. Perhaps I'll become a rebel and grow them too. Viva Nettles!!!
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I have some plants ripe for splitting now if you need them.
How do I add the picture as I am not sure with this type of set up?
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It's become a weed on my plot, so it's good to have a use for it!
It's not Bocking 14 then. The great thing about it is that it does not self-seed and become a weed like other types of comfrey. Link to some information here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/dec/06/comfrey-gardens
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Hi Hopalong,
The weed we were discussing was Borage, not Comfrey... Another plant that can been used in the same way as Comfrey.
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Do nettles have to be young to benefit the compost bin. We have an area of waste land on our site & it's full of nettles but they look quite big. I was going to ask if I could cut them down for the composter.
Janet
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OK I admit straightaway that when it comes to growing plants I haven't got the patience of a saint.
Has anyone's cuttings started to grow yet? Just so I know I haven't done something wrong, you understand. ::)
I got some roots from frogslegs which I planted out on 2nd March. They hadn't done much until this week but have definitely put on some growth now.
As for nettles, in the absence of anything else, I put some in my potato trenches yesterday.
I had self-seeded borage evrywhere last year so looking forward to having all three this year. :D
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Any old nettles will do in the composter.
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Am I too late? I also would like some Bocking 14, I get comfrey locally, it bungs up the drainage ditches so local farmer likes leaves to be picked. But would like to grow it.
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I see no ships neither, I was wondering about this yesterday as well :)
Thank Goodness for that, thought I'd left em hanging around too long and killed em off but they've now sprung into life. Thanks again tonybloke
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Tony, The comfrey roots you sent are growing really well. Thank-you so much. When should I plant them out & how soon can I cut it down for the composter.
Janet
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Janet I'd plant them out now, and they should grow quickly. I leave mine to flower for the bees then cut it down. Once established you can do that several times a year. This link may be of interest. xx
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/index.php
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Thanks Flighty. Very useful. I am going to make some liquid feed with manure tied up in hessian & dangled in some rain water. If I were to add some comfrey, if I can scrounge some, would this be smelly like comfrey tea. I don't want to upset the neighbours as I am doing it at home.
Janet
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Janet you're welcome. I think that it would be rather smelly, so perhaps it's not a good idea if you're likely to upset somebody! I put mine on the compost heap. xx
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Could I have some growing vibes sent this way please, no sign of my Comfry yet. I planted it out as soon as I received it and put one piece of root in a pot, no sign of growth there either. The good news is my nettle bed and Borage is doing well ;D. I've not tried putting nettles in a potato trench but I suppose it would be good for leaf growth.
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Vibes are on the way!!!! ;)
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can i have some vibes as well please.
lbb
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can i have some vibes as well please.
lbb
vibesvibesvibesvibesvibesvibes ;D
I'm sure I heard it growing just this morning!
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Well I was being greedy asking for some root cuttings for tonybloke cos I had 1 plant in my garden already but didn't know whether it was Bocking or not!
So here's me waiting for his cuttings to come up, thinking I'd left them hanging around too long.
I put some fresh cut leaves from my own, under my pots and yesterday discovered several leafy growths that I didn't recognise in among em' - they've only bloomin started to grow with the taters!
Houston (do we) have a problem?
???
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Tony very kindly sent me some roots. Some of them were already in leaf & the others I put in pots & kept them watered, they have all now sprouted, how are the others doing.
Janet
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One of mine have emerged. Never thought I would see the day when I would worry about comfrey growing but there again this is no ordinary comfrey its Tonyblokes comfrey. Ta again Tone ;D
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Today I have 3 shoots of comfrey.
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Must be those growing vibes Shirl ;) ;) ;) ;.
Janet
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I've got loads of bocking 14.
P.M. me for root cuttings!!
Have you got any left tony - I planted expensive seeds for comfry - nothing happened!!! I'm gutted
Cheers Chris
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Bocking 14 doesn't reproduce by seeding so if you were sold seeds for Bocking 14, you were done and you should ask for your money back. Non-Bocking 14 varieties self-seed freely so I'd expect good germination from seed. Again, ask for your money back.
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My comfrey is growing away merrily, thanks again Tony. Still in a pot for now, till I decide where to place it, and get over my tennis elbow so I can dig up the couch grass first. :)
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If people want this plant I shall be digging it up and seperating it later this year so there is plenty to go round.
PM me with details and all I ask is for postage and a donation to the site in payment.
Large root cuttings in a bubblewrap will be sent to you.
All from three little cuttings sent to me from a gardener in the south west, he told me it was Symphytum officinale or something like that.
Regards
landimad
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he told me it was Symphytum officinale or something like that.
Regards
landimad
Symphytum officinale is common comfrey, the sort that self-seeds freely. Bocking 14 is a cultivar of Russian comfrey, Symphytum uplandicum.
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Thanks for the info, all I know is that this does not seed itself around and the roots are huge now as one of the members found out when I sent them some. Cant remember who it was now as there has been so much to do and grow since I sent it off.
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I started out using Bocking 14 but it all went to the great compost heap in the sky after a year or so.
My comfrey bed is now common or garden comfrey and very impressive it is, to be sure.
I just don't understand why anyone would buy Bocking 14 when good ol' common comfrey seems to be so much better..
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I just don't understand why anyone would buy Bocking 14 when good ol' common comfrey seems to be so much better..
Because I've got enough weeds to deal with without introducing any more. By "so much better" you mean you haven't killed it off yet? ;)
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Bocking 14 doesn't reproduce by seeding so if you were sold seeds for Bocking 14, you were done and you should ask for your money back. Non-Bocking 14 varieties self-seed freely so I'd expect good germination from seed. Again, ask for your money back.
Not bocking - something else - seed hasn't grown - how long should I give it?
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Has anyone any comfrey bocking 14 spare? Saw it on gardeners world and seems a must for the allotment!!! ;)
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Has anyone any comfrey bocking 14 ? Saw it on gardeners world and seems a must for the allotment!!! ;)
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pm me your address, I'll post ya some genuine bocking 14.
rgds, the bloke
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pm me your address, I'll post ya some genuine bocking 14.
rgds, the bloke
I think I've sent you a PM - didin't get notice that i had so thats why i'm not sure
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Sorry no you did not PM me.
But if you do I shall add you to the list.
Regards