JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 I have a nasty crop of these; The leaves all grow from the top of the root/rhizome and I believe if left long enough they have small blue flowers. I dug a lot out last year, but the root/rhizome goes very deep and some broke off - and I think those are (at least in part) what has come back this year. Not easy to spot spray as they are amongst other (wanted) things. I'd be grateful to know what they are - and any good tips for elimination (short of digging half way to Australia!) The root on the one photographed has broken off, but about 9" underground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pangolin Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 9 minutes ago, JohnfromUK said: I have a nasty crop of these; The leaves all grow from the top of the root/rhizome and I believe if left long enough they have small blue flowers. I dug a lot out last year, but the root/rhizome goes very deep and some broke off - and I think those are (at least in part) what has come back this year. Not easy to spot spray as they are amongst other (wanted) things. I'd be grateful to know what they are - and any good tips for elimination (short of digging half way to Australia!) The root on the one photographed has broken off, but about 9" underground. Is it Green Alkanet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 5 minutes ago, Pangolin said: Is it Green Alkanet? It could be - there are many similarities - notably the dee brittle root. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 young comfrey ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 Yep, comfrey. Make a poltise and wrap around your sore joints. Used for horses a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 1 minute ago, Walker570 said: Yep, comfrey. Make a poltise and wrap around your sore joints. Used for horses a lot. Also used to make a green liquid fertiliser for the garden but stinks something awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 I don't think it is Comfrey - the stems and flowers are not right. I have just rummaged on the compost heap and found one I dug out with a flower; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 Okay the blue flower does indeed suggest Green Alkanet then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 13 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Okay the blue flower does indeed suggest Green Alkanet then. I should have tried harder in my first photography attempt! The deep brittle root also ties in with alkanet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 36 minutes ago, Walker570 said: Yep, comfrey. Make a poltise and wrap around your sore joints. Used for horses a lot. mel 3 would be disappointed with that...........him being fond of figging and ginger. an stuff.....he wouldnt use it cause it wouldnt fit up his rear end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 Just now, ditchman said: mel 3 would be disappointed with that...........him being fond of figging and ginger. an stuff.....he wouldnt use it cause it wouldnt fit up his rear end You know Mel and his rear end far too well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 Just now, TIGHTCHOKE said: You know Mel and his rear end far too well! only by ear not by mouth....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 Just now, ditchman said: only by ear not by mouth....... When you are in a hole, stop digging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 10 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: When you are in a hole, stop digging! point taken................... i will just pop a bit of ginger in it............and run for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 If just a few paint brush and round up for deep tap roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 11 minutes ago, Konnie said: If just a few paint brush and round up for deep tap roots. Not too many, so I think that will be my strategy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 is it the same plant that Alkernet oil comes from...for wood finish ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pangolin Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 10 minutes ago, ditchman said: is it the same plant that Alkernet oil comes from...for wood finish ? It would seem the root is used to make a red dye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 3 hours ago, ditchman said: only by ear not by mouth....... Is this a new position. 🤷♀️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 (edited) But then using your second photo with the flower brings up something which concurs with the above suggestions.... App is called Picture This which is free in limited form but paid for if you want full features. I use the free version, good enough for occasional use Edited March 31, 2021 by Jim Neal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 I don't think it is borage - because borage has very pointed petals in a 'star' shape; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 See edit ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 1 minute ago, Jim Neal said: See edit ^^ Yes , green alkanet is favourite by a good margin. Fairly sure that is what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 (edited) I'd go with that! Going back to some earlier comments on the thread, my OH acquired a few rhizomes of comfrey several years ago to grow as a companion plant and harvest for its fertilisation abilities - you pick leaves and steep them in water to make "comfrey tea" which you then pour over your other plants. It ****** stinks!!! Not sure if it's helped the tomatoes or not as I pee on them quite regularly when I'm caught short out in the garden. Comfrey gets very big, very quickly. I should use it as a nickname for my...... Edited March 31, 2021 by Jim Neal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted March 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 Just now, Jim Neal said: I'd go with that! Flower I photographed from the dug out bits on the heap today is identical to the one in your app photo. The root goes down miles; I broke a fork last year digging some out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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