Re: [compost_tea] Comfrey compost tea recipe

From: Mickey Damelio <visionteacher_at_gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:34:32 -0500

Where did you get your plants? My nursery sells a variety that doesn't
spread, but I'm not interested in that. Its such a handy plant I'd like mor=
e
than just the one, but I don't want to pay the crazy price they are chargin=
g
for it. I have 4 acres and its free to spread a bit if it wants to, I'll cu=
t
the leaves for mulch for the orchard. Thanks!!

~Mickey

On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 10:24 AM, <thatsmyluggage_at_aol.com> wrote:

>
>
> Comfrey has many interesting attributes. It has a very deep root system a=
nd
> transports minerals from subsoil to leaf. It is very high in protein
> (perhaps the highest of any plant 25-30%) , and is considered the fastest
> growing plant in temperate climates. It is very rich in minerals, and als=
o
> contains allatonin which stimulates cell mitosis. Roots have more of this
> than leaves. If you want to harvest roots, don't worry about digging up m=
ost
> of a plant. Its very difficult to get rid of. Don't grow in a container. =
It
> will languish. The roots want to go 10' deep.
>
> I grow about 40 comfrey plants to add to the compost piles. It is an
> excellent bacterial and fungal food. To make a water extract. You could
> soak the leaves, but I use a blender (and strain solids if I'm spraying i=
t.)
> I use about a cup of leaves to a gallon of water. The plant grows so fast=
,
> you can harvest leaves several times a year. If left to bloom, the flower=
s
> are sort of nice and attract many bees. I cant help but think it has some
> positive effect on them as well.
>
> I don't fully appreciate all of the bio dynamic principles, but the
> addition of the dandelion, stinging nettle, oak, yarrow, valerian,
> comfrey,equisetum, etc. to the compost pile, add many valuable minerals a=
nd
> compounds...which in turn also make better compost tea.
>
> I think another extremely valuable plant for this similar purpose of maki=
ng
> a water extract is Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail).
>
> Brian
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeff Lowenfels <jeff_at_gardener.com>
> To: compost_tea <compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Fri, Feb 25, 2011 9:55 am
> Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Comfrey compost tea recipe
>
>
> Sugars do not promote fungi, but rather bacteria....
>
> Please plant a row for the hungry in your garden. Ask me how!
>
> On Feb 25, 2011, at 5:50 AM, Jonathan Bewley <ummyepp_at_yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Comfrey Tea is one of those nutty biodynamic creations I believe.
>
> You only want to add sugars to a compost tea if you are working to
> intentionally propagate fungus.
>
> Bacteria specific to your sugars will out compete the bacteria of your
> compost.
>
>
>


Received on Fri Feb 25 2011 - 19:49:09 EST

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Tue Feb 07 2012 - 13:58:05 EST