[Glyn]

I have just gotten a comfrey plant but i have no idea where the best place to but it is, as i have been told that it spreads every where.
Many Thanks
Glyn

[Lee G]

Not if it's the Bocking 14 variety it won't.  I've just taken delivery of 10 root cuttings and the instructions say a furtile sunny spot.  Do not cut any leaves off it in the first year though.

[richyrich7]

Depends which sort it is, the tap rooted ones never seem to spread much in my experience. Pop it in near the compost heap and keep an eye on it.

[beestie-crawlies]

I've just moved one of mine, so it's right next to the compost bin.

Well, actually I cut that one into five bits which are all coming along nicely. No more 10yrd trek across the plot for me? :blink:

Will have to move the other two at the end of the year as they don't fit into the plan I have.

[Lardman]

I have just gotten a comfrey plant but i have no idea where the best place to but it is, as

I can tell you where not to put it - on a north facing sandy slope. I've moved mine down to a soggy wet bit in partial shade at the base of the slope.  The difference in the growth is shocking !!!

Well, actually I cut that one into five bits which are all coming along nicely.

I managed to get 14 root cuttings out of the plant I dug up    It remains to be seen how many actually sprout - 3 so far,  but each cutting was at least 2 inches.

[Dal]

You can also cover your comfrey plant with compost, about 15 -20cm deep, it will soon grow though it and after a few months run the a shovel under the compost cutting off the shoots which by now will have grown small roots, cut off the leaves and plant.

[TheModfather]

Do they usually sell comfrey plants at garden centres of are they best bought online??? They seem very useful.

[richyrich7]

Nice tip Dal 

Do they usually sell comfrey plants at garden centres of are they best bought online??? They seem very useful.

Ask for some on the swap shop bit some one may have some up for grabs. I'd offer but I've given all my spares away this year.

[iwantanallotment]

How do I tell which comfrey I have, ie Bocking 14 or otherwise? 

It's just always been there, despite my efforts to get rid of it (before knowing what it was)
It hasn't spread, if that's a giveaway clue? - just the same ol plants come up year after year, no new ones.

Does that mean it's the Bocking?

[Rangerkris]

A mate of mine has just got his plot on my site and has loads of comfrey how do i take root cuttings from them.

[shaun]

dig one good sized plant up and split it like rhubarb,but saying that if you have time a small bit of root potted in compost will give you a plant next year
i started with 6 very small cuttings.

[yorky]

How do I tell which comfrey I have, ie Bocking 14 or otherwise? 

If it hasnt self seeded all over your plot then it is almost certainly Bocking 14

[Lee G]

dig one good sized plant up and split it like rhubarb,but saying that if you have time a small bit of root potted in compost will give you a plant next year
i started with 6 very small cuttings.

So when did you plant those Shaun, I may have to rethink where I plant mine seeing how vigourous yours are.  I have 10 root cuttings in pots of compost, bought them online and 8 have sprouted already (less than 10 days after getting them).

[shaun]

i think its been where it is for 4 years now,where ever you put it just bear in mind that you want it to stay there forever more a bit like rhubarb and fruit trees etc

[Lee G]

i think its been where it is for 4 years now,where ever you put it just bear in mind that you want it to stay there forever more a bit like rhubarb and fruit trees etc

Thanks Shaun, ironically it was up by the rhubarb where I was thinking of putting it, although I may put 5 there and 5 somewhere else, don't think I'll get 10 there now I've seen the size of yours (if you'll pardon the expression  )