Alfalfa pellets & comfrey bocking 14 In a nutshell
Comfrey Bocking 14
If you happen to have a bit free space outside which is not yet dedicated for other plants
And if you are interested in being a bit self sufficient regarding fertilizing
Comfrey is an great plant to plant
Since the normal comfrey is an invasive plant and at flowering season it distributes endless seeds who will become “hard to get rid of seedlings” there is an cultivar named Bocking 14 which is Barren and therefore propagated by root cuttings
That plant has large roots which are going deeper than normal plants and it will bring up to
its leafs high amounts of potassium phosphorus and other minor elements
Comparatively high protein amount in its leaves will turn to available nitrogen
Bocking 14 needs lots of water,can grow at wide temperature range and is not so picky about sun conditions either
That plant will stay put for decades where you will plant it and therefore it is good to decide
on a proper place for it to stay
I grow few dozens comfrey plants, which are vigorous growers and their leafs can be harvested few times a year
those leaves and flowers are a good feed for poultry , excellent for mulching
(that mulch will deteriorate quickly and provide plants and soil with good feed)
Other use for Comfrey leaves is making liquid fertilizer from them
there are few methods, the one I use is the same method used for alfalfa pellets
Alfalfa pellets
Alfalfa is an other protein rich plant which fixate nitrogen and therefore is sometime used as an inter crop plant to enrich the soil before starting cycle of demanding food crops
we used to grow alfalfa as a cattle feed in the past
Another greatness of Alfalfa plants is their production of Triacontanol in relatively high levels
Triacontanol is an natural growth hormone which increase division and density of plant cells
will thicken plants, stimulate basal breaks formation, and is also said to increase plants cold hardiness
Triacontanol affect few plants more than others, and is not yet clear why and how
Actually Triacontanol can be found in many plants at smaller amounts, and it presence
in beeswax is much more substantial than in alfalfa, however it is an fatty alcohol which is not soluble in water and will have the tendency to occur with other fatty alcohols which will Contradicts the positive impact on plants
It is thought that By fermentation process of Alfalfa Triacontanol will become available
for plants by roots or foliar applications,
From my own use of fermented Alfalfa as drench with Mango, Avocado, Grape wines, Tomatoes and few others It seems that during replanting and later growing the plants react very positive towards it
Take it As an tip
Alfalfa pellets are used as a feed for horses mainly, they are sold at 50 lb bags
and do not cost that much, something from $15
Fermentation:
in a big container far from you house (it stink)
fill two thirds with water and add
about One cup Alfalfa pellets per Gallon of water
give a daily stir from the second day on for about a week
cover the container since it stinks and attracts flies
Maybe that is the Durian fruit for plants stenchy but tasty
Apply as transplant drench from about half a Gallon for young small trees
use more for bigger trees
Or apply as an liquid fertilizer in spring and summer at the same rates
If for some reason you find that subject interesting, please google for it:
Alfalfa Triacontanol, Alfalfa Pellets Triacontanol, comfrey bocking 14, comfrey bocking 14 fertilizer
Don't blame me for anything and take care