Symphytum x uplandicum Bocking 14 - Comfrey - organic (per piece)

A Versatile Gem in Organic Gardening: Consoude Bocking 14

Originating from a natural hybrid in England, Consoude Bocking 14 is renowned for its diverse applications in organic gardening and permaculture. Unlike many plants, it propagates through cuttings rather than seeds, making it a practical choice for gardeners. This variety boasts large, dark green, rough, and hairy leaves, adorned with small, nectar-rich purple or blue-violet flowers. It serves excellently as a green manure in vegetable gardens, thanks to its deep roots that extract nutrients from the soil. Additionally, its nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus-rich leaves enhance soil quality when composted, making it an excellent soil improver and a natural fertilizer stimulant.

Cultivation Tips for Consoude Bocking 14

This variety spreads through root division since it does not produce viable seeds. You can plant a root piece directly into the ground or in a pot from October to the end of March, avoiding planting during extremely cold conditions below 0°C. It thrives in a wide range of soil types and can grow in full sun or partial shade.

To maximize biomass production, it’s advisable to trim the leaves before flowering.

Gardening Benefits

• Green Manure: Its deep roots absorb nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen from the soil, making them available to other plants when its leaves decompose.

• Soil Improver: When composted or used as mulch, the leaves enrich the soil with organic matter and essential nutrients.

• Natural Fertilizer: The liquid fertilizer made from its leaves is a potent growth stimulant for plants.

How to Make Your Own Comfrey Fertilizer

Creating comfrey fertilizer is an eco-friendly and effective way to produce a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. Follow these steps:

Materials Needed:

• Fresh comfrey leaves
• A large container (like a bucket or barrel)
• Rainwater or non-chlorinated water
• A cover (lid or cloth)
• A filter (like an old cloth or sieve)

Preparation Steps:

1. Harvest Leaves: Gather comfrey leaves, ideally before flowering for maximum nutrient value.
2. Chop Leaves: Roughly chop the leaves to increase surface area and speed up fermentation.
3. Fill Container: Place the chopped leaves in the container, filling it about two-thirds full.
4. Add Water: Cover the leaves with water, preferably rainwater to avoid chlorine that can hinder fermentation.
5. Fermentation: Cover the container with a lid or cloth and let it ferment for about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on ambient temperature.
6. Stir Regularly: Stir the mixture every few days to enhance fermentation and nutrient release.
7. End of Fermentation: It’s ready when bubbling stops and the liquid turns dark brown with a strong odor.
8. Filter: Strain the liquid to remove leaf remnants.
9. Dilution for Use: Dilute the fertilizer before application, commonly in a ratio of 10% fertilizer to 90% water.

Application:

Use it as a liquid fertilizer for watering plants or as a foliar spray, particularly beneficial for plants in their growth phase, flowering plants, and fruit-bearing vegetables.

Tips:

Store any remaining fertilizer in sealed containers away from light. Use the diluted fertilizer within a few days for optimal effectiveness. Avoid applying it to young seedlings or in excessive concentrations to prevent burning.

When does comfrey sprout?

With sufficient warmth, you will usually see the first shoots after 2–4 weeks.
Sometimes it takes a little longer → be patient, as a lot is already happening underground.

👉 Is it slow to get going in the first year?
That is completely normal. From year 2 onwards, comfrey becomes very vigorous.

Planting the rhizomes

After receipt

• Plant the root pieces as soon as possible

• Can’t plant them immediately?

  • Store temporarily in a cool place (4–8°C)

  • In slightly moist soil or wrapped in paper

  • Do not allow them to dry out

Planting in open ground

📍 Location

• Sun to partial shade

• Ideal near fruit trees, in the vegetable garden or permaculture garden

• Once planted → permanent plant (transplanting is difficult)

🌱 Planting depth

• Place the root piece horizontally

• 5–10 cm deep

• Buds (if visible) may face upwards

📏 Planting distance

• Allow 60–80 cm per plant

• Near fruit trees: approx. 50–80 cm from the trunk

Important

Upon receipt of the comfrey root(s), growth and root formation may vary per root.
The photo shows a rootstock that has already sprouted.
The rootstocks you receive usually have few or no visible roots. This is completely normal.
After planting, shoots usually appear after 2–4 weeks.