Print Page - How do I split comfrey,

Title: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Twirlie on February 20, 2008, 22:44:02

Hi there, Gunnerbee is asking for comfrey and I know I have some just coming through. New plot so I don't know how much I have. How do I split some off or make a cutting so to speak so I can send some on, without killing it!!!!!
Thanks
Twirlie ???

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: betula on February 20, 2008, 22:55:51

I think you put your spade down the middle of the plant and break some off the crown.I had some on my old allotment and it spread everywhere. :)

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: saddad on February 20, 2008, 23:10:49

As long as each piece has an eye or growing point on it...
;D

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Twirlie on February 20, 2008, 23:22:43

Thanks both of you. How should I post it??? In the same way as Horse radish? If so I'll wait and see how you've sent that. Twirlie :)

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Lauren S on February 20, 2008, 23:32:55

When I got mine, the roots were wrapped in wetted paper towel and then placed in a poly bag inside a jiffy bag :)...Package marked...Live Plants

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Eristic on February 21, 2008, 00:27:53

QuoteHow do I split some off or make a cutting so to speak so I can send some on, without killing it!!!!!

Don't think they can be killed. Dig one up, fill the hole with soil, attack the root with a spade, share up the pieces. They will all grow, every last bit, and the remains that you failed to get out from the original spot will be back up in production 4-6 weeks later than normal.

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Trevor_D on February 21, 2008, 07:45:49

Yes, it's a bit like asking, "How do I propagate convulvulous?" It spreads like a hyper-active tryffid!

I've got plenty in wrong places on my plot, but I looked the other day because I promised cardinalflower some roots and it's not showing through yet. (It will!!)

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Uncle Joshua on February 21, 2008, 10:49:30

Quote from: Trevor_D on February 21, 2008, 07:45:49
but I looked the other day because I promised cardinalflower some roots and it's not showing through yet. (It will!!)

I promised cardinalflower some too.

I'm hoping mine will be showing in the next few weeks.

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Columbus on February 22, 2008, 17:57:18

Hi Twirlie, Hi all, :)

I was just reading, "More scenes from a smallholding" by Chas Griffin,

He describes how one inch chunks of comfrey root produce a healthy plant,
and quarter inch chunks, don`t.

I have two main, harvested comfrey plants, I find anything that gets broken off always grows and the parent plant always flourishes. They seem unkillable.

Col

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Trevor_D on February 22, 2008, 19:50:13

Does that mean all I have to do is to cut the plant into quarter-inch chunks and it will die?

Bet I leave a half-inch bit three feet down which will creep up on me unawares in a couple of years time!

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: star on February 22, 2008, 21:52:30

Beware the triffids...................it is hard to get rid of once you got it ;)

Title: Re: How do I split comfrey,
Post by: Columbus on February 24, 2008, 07:44:32

Quote

Does that mean all I have to do is to cut the plant into quarter-inch chunks and it will die?[/quote]

He says quarter inch chunks produce leaves but then the plant fails to flourish.

As I wrote earlier

QuoteThey seem unkillable.

;D ;D Col

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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Twirlie on February 20, 2008, 22:44:02