Comfrey seeds

[Ruud]

Hi

If i start sowing comfrey seeds this month would the plant grow enough for me to pick the leaves of this year?

Thanks

[Shadylane]

Dunno how quick it grows from seed but I grew mine from root cuttings and while it grew plenty you're supposed to leave it a season to get established before you cut it. You could grow twice as much - some to cut this season and some to save for next year in case the batch that you harvest doesn't survive or is weakened. One thing to bear in mind though - if it's from seed then it's the normal kind which can be invasive and spread everywhere - the Bocking14 type, which you get from root cuttings is sterile and doesn't spread.

[oldie]

You will be able to get a small crop from it this year but as Shadylane says seed sown comfrey is very invasive so make sure you put it in a carefully selected site.

[Ruud]

so its best to get a Bocking14 type , i was also looking at the comfrey pellets at thompson and morgan but it doesnt say if there the Bocking14 type

Comfrey Pellets (Gardening Equipment)

[Jeanied]

The variety doesn't matter to T&M - they just harvest the leaves, dry them and make their pellets - and how much are they asking ... over 12 quid? - daylight robbery if you ask me. But then I have a plentiful supply for free!
If you are introducing comfrey to your patch and are not planning to set up a rival business selling comfrey pellets, it is best to get the non - self seeding variety! Otherwise it can get invasive.

[Ruud]

would the pellets matter if their not from blocking 14

[Jeanied]

No because they are made from leaves not seeds. It is the seeds that are the problem.

[sweetiepea]

I've just bought a couple of bocking 14 root cuttings on @bay. Even with postage to Ireland its still quite cheap. After spending the last year reading about the wonders its does I'm going to give it the summer, at least, to take shape before 'harvesting'.