Comfrey flopping over?

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by LeadFarmer, Jun 25, 2024.

  1. LeadFarmer

    LeadFarmer Gardener

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    Anyone experienced their comfrey plants flopping over?

    Some of my Bocking 14 comfrey plants have decided to flop over, they remain in flower but are now covering my garden path. Whilst I can use plant supports to keep them upright, I wondered if something has caused this such as under/over watering etc?

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  2. Stephen Southwest

    Stephen Southwest Gardener

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    Mine have always done this - I don't see it as a sign of anything wrong. If they get in the way I cut them back - they're pretty indestructible in my experience ..
     
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    • LeadFarmer

      LeadFarmer Gardener

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      Thanks, they grew upright last year, but have flopped this year, seems it's just something they do then?
       
    • Loofah

      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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      Yup. It grows strongly and you can crop it or if left it will just do what it's done
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        I would cut that lot down, use it for improving the soil or making tea. It soon shoots back for another cut.

        What are you growing it for ?
         
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        • LeadFarmer

          LeadFarmer Gardener

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          Purely for the bees. I've chopped two of the plants down already to make confery liquid. Maybe I'll do the same with the rest as there should still be time left for them to regrow.
           
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          • Loofah

            Loofah Admin Staff Member

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            If it's spare you can also just chop it up and dig into the borders
             
          • fairygirl

            fairygirl Total Gardener

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            I just chop mine and make more comfrey tea when they get a bit limp, but they only tend to get like that when they're in pots, awaiting planting, and dry out more easily.
            The ones in the ground are sturdier, although our recent, long spell of drier weather has meant they're a bit floppier than usual.
            You can pull bits off and stick them in a tray or container of water and they'll grow away for new plants too. :smile:
             
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            They are bee magnets, mine were buzzing with so many last week I didn't want to disturb them for cutting. Some plants had to be chopped as they were shading the potatoes.
             
          • fairygirl

            fairygirl Total Gardener

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            Flowers were finished on mine a while ago, so I chop off anything that can be useful for the feed - if I remember!
             
          • Thevictorian

            Thevictorian Gardener

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            Our bocking 14 always flops and it can grow 6ft plus in a good season, it always seems a lanky plant. We mostly growth the non sterile stouter species down the allotment where it can spread if it wishes, we just dig it up, that never flops and is much more stout.
             
          • fairygirl

            fairygirl Total Gardener

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            It's the white one I have, which is less problematic. It seeds but it isn't hugely invasive here.
            I originally collected some from across the road, beside the NT garden we live near, as the verge just gets cut by this time of year and it gets lost otherwise. The bits that had roots/heels were grown on, planted out, and I use it every year now, after it's flowered. :smile:

            The bocking 14 one is much bigger though. I should have made it clear that it isn't that one I have. Apologies @LeadFarmer .
            I'd do as suggested though, and cut it back for feed, or just composting, and then let it come away again if it does that. The white one doesn't re flower - not here anyway.
             
          • Thevictorian

            Thevictorian Gardener

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            It's the white one we have as well @fairygirl and it's not too badly behaved. If I'm quick enough and get it just after flowering, we can have upto 3 flowerings a year, which the bees go nutty for. The early bumble bees also go wild for the creeping comfrey we have around our fruit trees. I'd have as many varieties I could get dotted around the place but it brings me out in a rash for some reason.
             
          • LeadFarmer

            LeadFarmer Gardener

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            Thanks for the replies, I think I'll leave the plants as they are and let them finish flowering for the bees, before cutting them down for the compost. I Chelsea chopped a couple of my other comfrey plants so at least Ill get more flowers from those in a few weeks.
             
          • fairygirl

            fairygirl Total Gardener

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            I'm assuming mine is S. officinale @Thevictorian , but I really don't know! It certainly doesn't get very big.

            I think that's the best idea @LeadFarmer . It's a great addition for your compost bin if you don't want to do the feed. :smile:
             
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