[JohnB47]

I often gather my comfrey crop after it has produced flower stalks - the bees love the flowers. But I was wondering if cutting off the emerging flower stalks would result in more leaf production. I might try that on one or two of my five plants (bocking 14) this year. Anyone got any thoughts on that?

[snowdrops]

I just harvest the leaves 4/5 times a year, if there are flowers & not much else around for the bees I leave the flower stalk.

[JohnB47]

I just harvest the leaves 4/5 times a year, if there are flowers & not much else around for the bees I leave the flower stalk.

Yes, I'm reluctant to cut off the young flower stalks but I'm wondering if doing so might encourage more leaf production.

[snowdrops]

I find once they are established you get more than enough leaves. I suppose harvesting the leaves is pruning & that usually leads to greater growth on most plants,I'd never considered it with comfrey. Are they new plants?

[JohnB47]

I find once they are established you get more than enough leaves. I suppose harvesting the leaves is pruning & that usually leads to greater growth on most plants,I'd never considered it with comfrey. Are they new plants?

Sorry, snowdrops, I missed your reply.

 Well, they're about three years in the ground now. I'm not too worried about the harvest, just wondering if I can get more leaves by not letting flower stalks form.

Thanks.

[Jackypam]

I wonder if you feed comfrey with comfrey feed?!!!!

[snowdrops]

I find once they are established you get more than enough leaves. I suppose harvesting the leaves is pruning & that usually leads to greater growth on most plants,I'd never considered it with comfrey. Are they new plants?

Sorry, snowdrops, I missed your reply.

 Well, they're about three years in the ground now. I'm not too worried about the harvest, just wondering if I can get more leaves by not letting flower stalks form.

Thanks.

I suppose in that case you might need to do a trial on 1 or 2 plants.

[JohnB47]

I find once they are established you get more than enough leaves. I suppose harvesting the leaves is pruning & that usually leads to greater growth on most plants,I'd never considered it with comfrey. Are they new plants?

Sorry, snowdrops, I missed your reply.

 Well, they're about three years in the ground now. I'm not too worried about the harvest, just wondering if I can get more leaves by not letting flower stalks form.

Thanks.

I suppose in that case you might need to do a trial on 1 or 2 plants.

Yes, I'll try that this year and will report back.

[Trillium]

I wonder if you feed comfrey with comfrey feed?!!!!

They don't need anything at all. Like dandelions, they can pull nutrients out of the soil that veg can't. If it's dry for any spell, they can do with some water and that's about it.

[Jackypam]

Will comfrey fight off nettles, brambles and the like, if I give it a decent start.  I would like to grow some on a steep bank next to my patch.  In fact I'd like to grow anything other than nettles brambles and thistles on the bank!

[Sparkyrog]

It is a weed to me  neighbour grew it from seed 

[JohnB47]

Will comfrey fight off nettles, brambles and the like, if I give it a decent start.  I would like to grow some on a steep bank next to my patch.  In fact I'd like to grow anything other than nettles brambles and thistles on the bank!

Actually, nettles are supposed to be good for making a feed too. If I had a big patch nearby I'd be using that as well as comfrey. I don't think anything would fight off brambles, apart from  glyphosate.

[Jackypam]

I'm coming to that conclusion too 

[surbie100]

I wonder if you feed comfrey with comfrey feed?!!!!

I've mulched mine with rotted manure and they look incredibly pleased. So far they are now ahead of my neighbour's, who's done nothing to them.