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S. officinale, common comfrey, can be grown from seed. It is best to direct sow outdoors about three weeks before the average last frost date, planting about half an inch deep in soil. Water well and keep the soil moist until seeds germinate in about two to three weeks.
Is comfrey hard to grow from seed?
Comfrey can be grown from seed, but it requires a winter chilling period to germinate. It’s also not unusual to sow the seeds and not see any germination for two years. Therefore, it’s more common to propagate the plant from root cuttings.5 days ago.
How do you germinate comfrey seeds?
Starting Indoors/Outdoors: Comfrey seeds need to be cold treated, also known as stratification for optimum germination. Sow seed in a moisten soil-less growing medium, enclose in plastic bag or small container then place in refrigerator for a 20-60 days.
How long does it take for comfrey to grow?
They develop buds 20 to 40 days after planting, and are best planted in beds, rows, or pots, and transplanted to permanent locations when a year or more old. Roots are laid flat and covered with 1½“ to 4” of soil when planted (see NOTE above). Root cuttings take 1½ to 2 years to grow to the size of a one-year plant.
Does comfrey come back every year?
Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.
Where should you plant comfrey?
Choose your site carefully – comfrey can live for 20 or more years. It is too vigorous to grow in a pot, but it will grow on most soil types (except the very shallow and chalky), thriving in good soil in the full sun. Allow 60–90 cm between plants.
Is comfrey toxic to dogs?
But be warned, dogs should not eat or lick it, as it can be toxic to them and will cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested in large amounts. Although comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, primarily on the root, which cause liver problems when ingested in large quantities.
When should I start my comfrey seeds indoors?
When and Where You Should Grow Comfrey Comfrey can be planted any time when the soil is not frozen, and seedlings are not facing immediate danger of frost. Planting is preferable in the Spring or Fall seasons.
What is the difference between common comfrey and Russian comfrey?
Common comfrey (S. officinale) has long been cultivated primarily as a medicinal herb, while prickly comfrey from the Caucuses (S. asperum) is grown mainly as an ornamental. Russian comfrey, which is a hybrid between common and prickly comfrey, comes in many variations and grows mainly independently.
Is comfrey easy to grow?
Symphytum spp. For this reason, one of my all time favorite herbs to keep in my garden is comfrey! It is also a long utilized herbal support for wound healing and treating other ailments. And it is extremely easy to grow – perhaps too easy, as it tends to spread if it’s not well managed.
What is the difference between borage and comfrey?
Borage flowers are always blue while comfrey flowers bloom in white, pink and purple. The flowers have different shapes, as well, with comfrey flowers shaped like bells and borage flowers like stars. Borage also tends to be a bit more gangly than comfrey, which grows in tighter clumps.
Is comfrey good for compost?
Comfrey out-performs manure, compost and many liquid feeds for concentration of nutrients. It produces these from a deep root system extending right into the subsoil that most edible plants cannot access. It also has an ideal Carbon:Nitrogen ratio which means that it does not hamper absorption of nitrogen by plants.
How is comfrey invasive?
Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’, which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden. Comfrey is a very fast growing plant. During the growing season it produces huge amounts of leaves.
Do chickens eat comfrey?
“Comfrey is well-suited as a feed for chickens. Chickens’ digestive systems are not equipped to handle much fiber. Comfrey is low in fiber and high in protein and minerals, especially when cut regularly. They also recommend comfrey for cattle, goats and pigs.).
Can you grow comfrey in the shade?
Comfrey can be grown in full sun or partial shade in most deep soils. Shallow soils will be a problem, though. Comfrey will grow without extra fertility, but to keep yields up year after year, top-dress with compost, spent mushroom compost or manure.
Is comfrey good for potatoes?
On potatoes Comfrey has an almost perfect ratio of nitrogen, potash and phosphorous. In comparison with farmyard manure, Hills shows it has more nitrogen, twice as much potash, but less phosphorous. It is an ideal potato and tomato food.
What is comfrey plant good for?
Comfrey is an herbal supplement used for conditions such as bronchitis, bruises (topical use), cancer, cough (persistent), fractures (topical use), peptic ulcer, rheumatism, skin ulcers (topical use), sprains (topical use), wound healing (topical use), gastritis, ulcers, excessive menstrual flow, and to gargle for gum.
What are the benefits of comfrey?
Comfrey roots and leaves contain allantoin, a substance that helps new skin cells grow, along with other substances that reduce inflammation and keep skin healthy. Comfrey ointments have been used to heal bruises as well as pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis.
