This thing is HUGE!! I started with 2 teeny, tiny seedlings last spring and I now have this massive plant! LOL I know I can't divide it now in this heat, but I might be able to do it in the fall. Until then, do I just let it go or can I harvest the leaves and do something with them?
Way back in the day Comfrey was hailed as the answer to just about anything that ailed either man or beast or plant then along came a story of it causing cancer in cattle that were fed comfrey ..It fell from the status of a rock star to rock bottum now I wish I had some of mine back ..Prevention magazine had lots of artcles about comfrey ,you can dry some leaves and make a nice tea or feed it to animals the problem with the cancer scare was the cattle that were said to be affected is it was the only feed they were being fed...
Comfrey is an excellent soil enhancer. The roots reach deeply and bring nutrients up to it and other things in the garden or flower bed.
Dried Comfrey leaves also make an excellent tea to use as a liquid fertilizer for your plants. I do this by chopping leaves finely and adding a gallon of water to the water can. I make sure my pets can't get to the water but let the water/leaf mixture ferment in the heat before using.
You can also turn dried Comfrey leaves into your garden beds. Or you could add them to the compost pile. Just make sure they are dry with no rootstock attached. Pieces of root will take off and take over.
Comfrey is now considered a carcinogen and is not recommended to use internally any longer but a salve or bandage made from Comfrey leaves will also help heal a wound more quickly. Make sure the wound is clean or it will heal too quickly with contamination inside. Comfrey is also used on sprains and broken bones. Its common name in olden days was knitbone or boneset.
I think it is a pretty plant with attractive blooms. I understand if I cut the bloom stalks off, it will continue to produce more leaves but I enjoy the blooms and have never had it reseed. I keep mine in a large container.
I agree with Podster, very good advice indeed!!
Thank you, ma'am.
I guess the other thing one could do with it would be to share with Grits74571 who wishes he had his comfrey back.
I will probably try to divide it in the fall. Grits, if I can get a piece of root for you, I'll send it to you.
Thank you very much once it is established it is hard to kill
I'll second that! I've never tried to kill mine or actually get rid of it but I've chopped it all the way down and even had it turn crunchy brown, and it springs back up. Love the blooms tho!
I don't grow comfrey but have heard its like horseradish, once you plant it just try to get rid of it! Its a beautiful plant so I'm tempted to give it a try, especially if it helps quell the effects of insect bites!
See: http://gardening.ktsa.com/Comfrey/7643237
Jo
Do the leaves have to be dry to make the liquid fertilizer or does it just make it easier to do? I just trimmed the plant and have a bucket of leaves. Advice?
You can put them in a 5 gal bucket of water and let them steep OUTSIDE for a day. Pull the leaves out and place on compost pile and use the water to fertilize your plants.
BTW, I now have 3 comfrey plants. Who wants one this fall at the RU?
Thanks Stephanie. With this heat, it will be ready soon.
