Rusty comfrey

[suethegardener]

We have a lot of (very welcome) comfrey on our recently inherited allotment. Some of the leaves have myriad tiny rusty spots on the underside (I presume something fungal).

Does anyone know what this may be? And will it affect vegetable plants if I use it in composting/mulching?

[Two_Sheds]

weak or stressed plants can suffer from comfrey rust, a fungal disease. It rarely seriously reduces plant growth and does not need "fixing". You can still use leaves on your plot.

Plants may be stressed from being hungry/thirsty, perhaps too close together?

[Geordie]

You could always cut the plants down now, I have and filled some dustbins to leave to rot down for the liquid. This will allow two cuttings from the same plants as they will regrow for cutting in the autumn.

[suethegardener]

Many thanks for very useful advice

[bluemoon]

Our Comfrey suffers horrendously from rust, but it still grows as normal and we use it as we always would. I've just filled a bean trench with it and some raw(ish) compost, I'll sow my runner beans into it in late June.