Growing Comfrey from Seed.

[Herbie]

Has anyone tried growing comfrey from seed? I have ordered some seed from Thompson & Morgan as I have heard that its a good plant food and compost activator.
If you have tried this method what were your results and do you have any hints or tips that would be good to know in advance of sowing.

Herbie

[Two_Sheds]

The comfrey you want is Bocking 14 - it is sterile, so you can't grow it from seed, only from cuttings.

You can grow other types of comfrey from seed, but beware that it is a weed ... it is going to be self-seeding itself all over your plot for years to come.

[Herbie]

Thanks Two Sheds, I can feel a trip to ebay coming ..............

[Two_Sheds]

I got mine on eBay.

They are dormant over winter though (the leaves die back). They come back into growth in about March/April.

[Snadger]

Thanks Two Sheds, I can feel a trip to ebay coming ..............

That Two Sheds.............she's always putting the mockers on things aint she?

Just out of interest I sowed the seeds from the Comfey plants I inherited on my lottie to find out if it was the Bocking 14 stuff................it's the first time I can honestly say I was glad to see that I had sown seeds that DIDN'T germinate!

[Herbie]

Thanks Snadger. I have 2 big compost bins that seem to take forever to produce the good stuff so thought comfrey may be a good way to speed it up. Still if any one wants any comfrey seeds some time soon let me know

[Mcbee]

Offer it in "Seed Swap" - you might get some takers

[Two_Sheds]

Dave from Derry will have 'em

[Snadger]

Dave from Derry will have 'em

Divine retribution?

[sarraceniac]

I tried seed in 2007 (I wasn't able to take advantage of this forum then) and got zero germination. Was quite pleased when I saw Two Sheds previous postings on this so bought a couple of Bocking 14 roots on eBay this winter. They are potted up and under glass, just hope they kick in, in spring.

Herbie. There is a way of speeding up composting without buying accelerator. I got this (I think) out of November's Grow Your Own Mag. - Human urine in small quantities will speed up your bins. I do suggest that you transfer it by use of a jar though. The neighbours may not be amused if you apply it direct.

[chengjing]

I bought a packet of seeds of comfrey Symphytum officinale, is it worth trying?

[lottie dolly]

I tried seed in 2007 (I wasn't able to take advantage of this forum then) and got zero germination. Was quite pleased when I saw Two Sheds previous postings on this so bought a couple of Bocking 14 roots on eBay this winter. They are potted up and under glass, just hope they kick in, in spring.

Herbie. There is a way of speeding up composting without buying accelerator. I got this (I think) out of November's Grow Your Own Mag. - Human urine in small quantities will speed up your bins. I do suggest that you transfer it by use of a jar though. The neighbours may not be amused if you apply it direct.

AND IT'SFREEZING OUT THERE

[Herbie]

I tried seed in 2007 (I wasn't able to take advantage of this forum then) and got zero germination. Was quite pleased when I saw Two Sheds previous postings on this so bought a couple of Bocking 14 roots on eBay this winter. They are potted up and under glass, just hope they kick in, in spring.

Herbie. There is a way of speeding up composting without buying accelerator. I got this (I think) out of November's Grow Your Own Mag. - Human urine in small quantities will speed up your bins. I do suggest that you transfer it by use of a jar though. The neighbours may not be amused if you apply it direct.

Mr Herbie has just been passed nice jar, compost bin is next to his blue shed so he has privacy for his new mission. He doesn't feel the cold!

Thanks for your advice, the seeds have not arrived yet so will take up Two Sheds suggestion and get some from ebay once available.

[Two_Sheds]

I bought a packet of seeds of comfrey Symphytum officinale, is it worth trying?

It's a common weed
If you want non-invasive comfrey, you really need the Bocking 14

[BrideXIII]

i quite like common weeds, and i haven't been able to get the Bocking 14 yet, i will admit to having a stubborn nature to what other people call weeds, they are just plants, may not be pretty, may well be invasive, but they are all just plants, and they all have a use in the grand scheme of things, so if they find a home in my garden, well i will just do my utmost to share the space

like the nettles i deliberately grow, which we use as spring greens ( and stops the local brats from climbing over to get their footballs)
the dandelions i use as a diuretic.
the feverfew i grow to help with my migraines.

all weeds, all with a use, i think i would like some non sterile comfrey to join them, just need not to let it seed like crazy.