Russian Comfrey Bocking 14 Noninvasive 12 Root Cuttings

Description

Non-invasive Russian Comfrey Bocking #14 is desirable over other comfrey cultivars because the seeds are sterile, making the plant more manageable in the garden. The plant is propagated via root cuttings, such as what I am selling here. Root cuttings are harvested when ordered, so your batch will be fresh. As always, shipping is free.

Russian Bocking #14 is great for composting because the stalks are thinner and break down more quickly than the stalks found on Bocking #4 (see my other listing). Bocking 14 can also be used as animal fodder. That said, I use both 14 and 4 in my compost and interchangeably as fodder.

I do not use chemicals in my yard. I use all natural methods to grow (hand weeding, natural undyed mulches, no chemicals, organic solutions, etc.). Anytime you order my roots, bulbs, seeds or plants, you will always receive your item from plants grown within my personal gardens. I dig all roots, bulbs, corms and rhizomes on the day they ship to ensure they arrive as fresh as possible.

Comfrey has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. However, recent studies have shown comfrey to be used safest externally, as internal use can lead to liver problems. Therefore, please be sure to do your research before using comfrey internally.  Comfrey, however, can be safely used as animal fodder, plant fertilizer, compost, etc.

As you can see from the photos, comfrey is a very nice addition to your herb garden. Honeybees are drawn to comfrey blooms, as well as all other pollinators. Russian Bocking cultivars do not produce seed, making them very desirable non-invasive additions to the garden. This variety of comfrey will only spread if you dig up their root system. Otherwise, the plant stays put right where you’ve placed it.

Be very careful as to where you choose to plant these roots, as the Russian Bocking 14 plant roots will reach as far as 8-10 feet deep into the ground. Bocking 14 will continue to grow wherever you plant it for years to come. The deep root system is precisely why Bocking 14 is so desirable. Deep roots enable the plant to mine minerals from far below which are often be depleted from the soil surface.  And this is why Russian comfrey Bocking 14 makes such a great fertilizer. composting medium, and animal fodder.

NATURAL GARDEN FERTILIZER

There are two methods utilized to make comfrey fertilizer. The easiest is to simply harvest the large leaves and stalks and work them into the soil around your plants. Comfrey decomposes quickly, adding nutrients to the soil for your plants. You can also use the leaves and stalks as a green in your compost pile. Another way to use it is by making a liquid fertilizer or compost tea. You put about 5 pounds of comfrey leaves in 7 gallons of water. Cover with a lid and let sit for 4-6 weeks. The liquid is used to fertilize your plants. Be sure to dilute your tea before using in your garden. A ratio of 15 parts water to one (1) part comfrey tea is recommended.

Russian Comfrey is very hardy. The foliage (leaves) can tolerate 15 degrees F for short periods. The perennial roots can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees F. It can survive in temperatures as hot as 120 degrees F. Good in USDA Zones 3-9. My gardens are in Zone 6.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

In your order you will receive root(s), cut from the vicinity of the crown of the plant, similar to the roots shown in the photo. Another photo shows a crown from which all the roots are cut. You don’t get the whole crown. Instead, you get however many roots you’ve ordered cut from the roots that are growing from the sides of the crown.

Start your roots in pots by laying the roots flat and covering with 1.5″ soil. If you want more plants, just cut the roots in half. A plant will grow from one as small as one inch long. Your roots are cut anywhere from directly at the crown to up to 12 inches from the crown. Root cuttings will take as much as 3 to 8 weeks to sprout leaves depending upon how far from, or near to, the crown they were cut.

Please continue taking proper care of the soil for your root cuttings and they will sprout for you in due time, some earlier than others depending upon their original distance from crown. You can transplant to your desired location once the plant has reached at least 6 inches and the last frost has passed.

Comfrey can be planted outdoors all season long and, as a perennial, will come back year after year.