Comfrey Soap Box

[Cadalot]

During my visit to the Wyevale 50p seed sale I saw and picked up a packet of Comfrey seeds from Thompson & Morgan



I have no intention of growing these seed, I bought the pack to see what warnings if any were on it about how invasive this particular plant is, there are none.

I visited the Thompson and Morgan web site and did a search for Comfrey under more information there is a warning that Comfrey is harmful if eaten and that contact with the foliage may irritate the skin and eyes, with a suggestion to use gloves when harvesting. But there is no warning on how invasive this plant can be.

I then thought I would see how many other seed suppliers, provide comfrey seeds and if they actually warn the purchaser about it's invasive nature. Out of all the seed suppliers listed on the left panel of my Diary & Blog only D.T.Brown, Just Seeds, Premier Seeds Direct, Nicky's Nursery and Seedaholic.com supply comfrey seeds.

Of those companies Just Seeds are selling packs from Thompson and Morgan none of them give a warning about how invasive Comfrey is apart from Seedaholic.com that state under the cultivation heading

"Take root cuttings (about 2 inches long) and away you go again. Be careful as the bits left over will happily root wherever they fall".

However they completely fail to mention that the plant grown from seed is not sterile and if allowed to flower and go to seed, will spread like wild fire.

The plot next to mine has comfrey all over it, inside the greenhouse and the polytunnel, and is not Bocking 14, the current tenant had no idea what Comfrey was they thought it was just an annoying weed they could not get rid off, until I educated them, what it could be used for and the need to keep it cut and not let it flower and spread anymore, as what they have on their plot is quite obviously not sterile.

I feel that providers of comfrey seed have a moral obligation to warn their customers about just how invasive this plant can be. I find it completely irresponsible of any company selling Comfrey seeds not to explain how invasive this plant can be, if grown from seed and not properly and carefully managed.

I salute all the seed companies that don't sell comfrey seeds.

So Bottom line, whatever you do DON'T GROW COMFREY FROM A PACK OF SEEDS

So what is the alternative? "Bocking 14" is a cultivar of Russian Comfrey, this strain was developed during the 1950s by Lawrence D Hills, and is the preferred type as it is sterile and can only be grown from root cuttings so it's not going to take over your plot from seeds spreading.

Sources for Bocking 14 root cuttings in the UK are

B-Actif
Cultivated Comfrey
Waitrose Garden

Sources for Bocking 14 root cuttings in the USA

Edible Acres

Original Blog Posting with links to sources of Bocking 14 root cuttings
Alans Allotment: Comfrey From Seed - DO NOT DO IT

[veggiechicken]

I expected a Comfrey Soapbox to be a variant on a comfrey tube.

There are other plants that spread by runners and/or seeds eg Mint, borage, foxgloves, poppies. Should there be "warnings" on these packets too. A bit like there are H&S warnings on just about everything these days - because people can no longer be trusted to use common sense.

EDIT http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ive_62608.html

[burnie]

I bought comfrey seeds, it had flowers and it has now vanished from the garden, I have been hunting high and low to find some more seeds, to no avail. I do it growing wild on occasion, though not as invasive as it might be thought.

[Cadalot]

I expected a Comfrey Soapbox to be a variant on a comfrey tube.

There are other plants that spread by runners and/or seeds eg Mint, borage, foxgloves, poppies. Should there be "warnings" on these packets too. A bit like there are H&S warnings on just about everything these days - because people can no longer be trusted to use common sense.

If they have a tendency to become invasive if not properly managed then yes, a responsible seller should give all the information with guidance on how to avoid the risk of the plant becoming invasive. It's only common sense if you know about it, if new to gardening you may not have gained that experience and common sense information yet.

[Snadger]

Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish are also two plants that once you have, you can never seem to get rid of!

[Cadalot]

I bought comfrey seeds, it had flowers and it has now vanished from the garden, I have been hunting high and low to find some more seeds, to no avail. I do it growing wild on occasion, though not as invasive as it might be thought.

That's a bit worrying if it had grown and you have not butchered it then it should still be growing? Just seen your in Scotland, has it gone into hibernation already?

If you really want seed I have a pack you can PM me your address and I will send it to you, but I would suggest getting some Bocking 14 root cuttings next year.

[Scarlet]

Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish are also two plants that once you have, you can never seem to get rid of!

Tell me about it! Ive got horseradish growing through my box hedge....Ve been digging it out for 17years

[Cadalot]

Ummm if the plot next to mine becomes free and I take it over there is a Jerusalem artichoke right in the middle of it !! I may have to think of a layout that works around it if I do take it on then

[veggiechicken]

Is it the same plot that has the comfrey?

[Cadalot]

Is it the same plot that has the comfrey?

No I took on a plot at Spencer Road because parking was going to become impossible during the week and ultimately impossible once the development is completed. However I have managed to get the contractor to agree for the formation of a pick up and drop off area within the allotment in an area that is no use for plots on my first allotment at Mill Green.

I have my name down for the plot next to mine on Mill Green, if and when it becomes vacant and I'm waiting to see if the existing tenant is going to give it up this year see Alans Allotment: Watering Visits & Absent Neighbours

[Baldy]

I was expecting some sort of contraption that allowed you to turn comfrey into Imperial Leather or suchlike...

[MarkPelican]

Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish are also two plants that once you have, you can never seem to get rid of!

I too accidentally planted horseradish at my plot, despite my best efforts (as yet short of weedkiller) it is spreading vigorously, the roots go down over 4ft in heavy clay that is too tough for parsnips and carrots. Don't ever grow it!

[veggiechicken]

I was expecting some sort of contraption that allowed you to turn comfrey into Imperial Leather or suchlike...

Like this................

[vixylix]

I agree with Cad and VC - perhaps a warning would be sensible, but then there'd be labels on so many things that the average joe wouldnt use any of them!

On the other hand - I'd like Ivy to be on the dangerous invasive plants list!

[Cadalot]

On the other hand - I'd like Ivy to be on the dangerous invasive plants list!

By George I think she's got it !!!!!

That's what we need a Dangerous Invasive Plant list ........ which actually is what this thread is becoming LOL so what others would people add to the list?