What is the use of bocking 14 comfrey?
Bocking 14 Russian Comfrey is a sterile hybrid that will not set seed but can still spread if its roots are disturbed. Comfrey has long been a favorite of ecological minded gardeners and farmers for building soil and bringing nutrients to the surface as a chop and drop mulch. One of the best uses for comfrey is as biomass for bulking up compost. The leaves are remarkably rich in potassium, with some nitrogen and phosphorous as well. I use an old knife to gather whole leaves to layer into compost whenever the need arises.Comfrey is an invaluable addition to most gardens and allotments. You should only need to buy it once, do so with confidence from the UK’s leading grower and supplier of Bocking 14 comfrey.It’s a popular choice for permaculture because it builds soil naturally. Bocking 14 comfrey can grow up to 4 feet tall when in flower, and has large, fuzzy green leaves and purple flowers that produce nectar for bees.Comfrey grows best in partial to full sun in moist, fertile soil. Comfrey is propagated by root cuttings or crown divisions. Comfrey can be planted throughout the growing season but establishes best when planted in the spring. Maintain moderate soil moisture, especially when plants are young.Comfrey will grow in pots (at least 3 gallon), containers such as plastic tubs, or 5-gallon plastic buckets but they do better when not grown in a pot. They have deep roots so prefer growing in the garden where they get more nutrients. The containers need drainage holes in the bottom.
What is the difference between bocking 14 and 4 comfrey?
Bocking 14 is sterile, so doesn’t set seed and can only be propagated by division. However it will still slowly increase in size so it’s wise to dig it up and divide it up every few years. Bocking 4 is said to have a deeper tap root – up to 8-10 feet, while Bocking 14 is around 6 – 8 feet. Bocking 14 will only spread via roots, eventually creating a nice clump that can be easily separated to make new plants (kind of similar to Irises). It is easy to maintain a manageable size though and is not invasive.
Where to plant bocking 14 comfrey?
Bocking 14 comfrey thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6. It can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Water deeply during dry periods but avoid waterlogged soil. Comfrey thrives in full sun on deep soil but will tolerate partial shade. It will grow on most soils, with the exception of shallow, chalky sites.In the wild, common comfrey thrives in moist, fertile, deep soil in a sunny position or in partial shade. It grows best in neutral to slightly acid soils.They are fully hardy and extremely low maintenance, with large leaves and nodding, tubular flowers in purple, pink or white. Once planted, it will be difficult to eradicate it from the spot in which it was placed. Comfrey has extremely deep tap roots and will regrow from even the smallest section of root.It will only spread if disturbed because any piece of comfrey root will make a new plant. So any digging or rototilling near comfrey will result in new plants.Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.
How tall does comfrey bocking 14 grow?
Once established, this quick growing plant can be cut 3 or 4 times throughout the growing season, for a constant supply of nutrient rich, organic, comfrey fertiliser. Height: 100cm (40). Spread: 75cm (30). The medicinal uses of comfrey have become controversial since the identification of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids-content, substances known for their toxicity in humans.Comfrey can be propagated by root cuttings or crown division. Root cuttings are the most economical, cut pieces of root 3 cm long and lay horizontally in a prepared garden site or a styrofoam box filled with potting mix. The cuttings should be buried 3 cm deep. Keep moist until the first leaves appear.Abstract. Comfrey has been consumed by humans as a vegetable and a tea and used as an herbal medicine for more than 2000 years. Comfrey, however, produces hepatotoxicity in livestock and humans and carcinogenicity in experimental animals.Comfrey is a plant that grows in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. While it may help with wounds and joint pain, healthcare professionals warn against eating it due to the risk of liver damage. Comfrey, also known as Symphytum officinale, is a plant that can grow up to five feet tall.
Does comfrey Bocking 14 spread?
Varieties of Comfrey ‘Bocking 14’ is, as mentioned above, commonly grown in the UK, because it is a sterile variety that will not set seed and spread in this way. Symphytum × uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’|Russian comfrey ‘Bocking 14’/RHS Gardening.Symphytum officinale, commonly called comfrey, is a large, coarse, tuberous-rooted, clumping perennial (to 3’ tall and 2. Large, pointed, hairy, ovate-lanceolate, dark green basal leaves grow to 8” long.I note that the Food Standard Code includes comfrey (as Symphytum asperum, Symphytum officinale, and Symphytum x uplandicum) in Schedule 23 as a prohibited plant.
Is comfrey easy to grow from seed?
Comfrey seeds grow best when they are raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established. Fill trays, punnets or jiffy pots with a good quality seed-raising mix, or use soil starter pellets. Sow seeds 5mm deep. Keep soil moist but never wet or dry. Comfrey seeds grow best when they are raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established. Fill trays, punnets or jiffy pots with a good quality seed-raising mix, or use soil starter pellets. Sow seeds 5mm deep. Keep soil moist but never wet or dry.Comfrey adapts well to different conditions and needs little maintenance: Plant it in a spot with full sun or partial shade and good drainage. Water young plants until they are established and mature plants during prolonged dry spells. Amend the soil with plenty of compost.Growing this herb is super easy. Propagation can be done with seed, division, or separation. Sow comfrey seeds in fall or early spring directly in the garden or in a cold frame and pot seedlings to be over-wintered inside. Division of comfrey herb plants may occur at any time, however, spring is suggested.Germination and Transplanting: Comfrey seeds typically take up to 30 days to germinate, depending on temperature and stratification success. Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into the garden.Comfrey can be planted from April to September as long as the soil can be worked, but planting in spring is best.
Why is comfrey a miracle plant?
The therapeutic properties of comfrey are based on its antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. Comfrey also stimulates granulation and tissue regeneration, and supports callus formation (Kommission E, 1990a, 1990b). Allantoin is a chemical substance found in this plant which impart a remarkable healing properties to it. Comfrey is useful in broken bones, wounds, and burns. It significantly reduces healing time owing to its property of accelerating cell growth.Comfrey contains phenolic acids and other antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals, slowing the ageing process and retaining its youthful appearance.Comfrey provides high levels of digestible protein and Vitamin A. Cows, Goats, Sheep, Etc. Our Bocking #4 Comfrey is much appreciated by cattle, dairy cows, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, alpacas, donkeys, chinchillas.Osteoarthritis: In people with knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative wear-and-tear joint condition, comfrey ointment has been shown to significantly relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and improve function.