How to Dilute Comfrey Tea for Maximum Benefits

Comfrey tea is an organic fertilizer that can give plants, especially fruiting and flowering types, a lot of good nutrients. High amounts of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus are in it, which plants need to grow. But comfrey tea needs to be diluted properly before it can be used on plants. To get the most out of comfrey tea, this article shows you how to water it down.

What is Comfrey Tea?

Comfrey tea is made by steeping comfrey leaves in water This allows the nutrients in the leaves to be extracted into the water, creating a concentrated liquid fertilizer

Most people put freshly cut comfrey leaves in a container, add just enough water to cover the leaves, and let it steep for two to six weeks. This makes a dark, strong “tea” that needs to be diluted a lot before it can be used on plants.

Another way is to put chopped leaves and water in a container but don’t fully submerge the leaves. In one to two weeks, this aerobic process makes a lighter tea.

Either way, the finished comfrey tea is packed with essential nutrients that plants need – potassium for fruit production, nitrogen for healthy growth, and phosphorus for root and flower development. But it needs diluting for safe usage.

Why Dilute Comfrey Tea?

The nutrients in comfrey tea are good for plants, but the tea is too strong to drink straight. Applying pure comfrey tea can damage or even kill plants.

Some key reasons you need to dilute comfrey tea before using it:

• It has a very high nutrient concentration that can “burn” plants if used undiluted. Always test on a small area first.

• The decomposing leaves alter the pH making the tea acidic. Diluting buffers the pH for plant safety.

• Undiluted comfrey tea may contain toxins from certain comfrey species that can be harmful in large concentrations.

• Some additional bacteria or mold can grow on the leaves during steeping. Diluting minimizes any potential issues from microbes.

• It has a strong odor that will be less noticeable when mixed into water.

Diluting comfrey tea moderates the nutrient levels and creates a safe, beneficial fertilizer for your garden plants.

How Much to Dilute Comfrey Tea

Most recommendations are to dilute comfrey tea at a ratio of 1 part comfrey tea to 10 parts water. However, the exact dilution rate depends on the concentration of your finished tea.

Stronger concentration:

• Dilute at a 1:15 or 1:20 ratio if your tea is very dark brown or black.

Medium concentration:

• Dilute at 1:10 to 1:15 if your tea is medium to dark brown.

Lighter concentration:

• You may only need a 1:5 dilution if your tea is lighter brown.

The more you dilute the tea, the more applications your batch will cover but the less nutrients each application will provide. Find the right balance for your needs.

A good rule of thumb is to start with a 1:10 dilution and adjust from there if needed. It’s easier to increase concentration than deal with burned plants from too strong a mix!

How to Dilute Comfrey Tea

Follow these simple steps for diluting your finished comfrey tea before using it in the garden:

• Assess the concentration – Check the color and thickness of your finished tea to estimate the ideal dilution rate, as explained above.

• Get two containers – You’ll need one container for measuring out the concentrated tea and another larger container for diluting it. Use watering cans, buckets, or jugs.

• Add tea and water – Add 1 part comfrey tea to at least 10 parts water. Adjust as needed based on concentration. If using a watering can, fill it 10% full with tea then top up with water.

• Stir well – Mix the tea and water thoroughly so the nutrients distribute evenly.

• Test pH – Check that the pH is between 6-7, neutral enough for plant usage. Add a bit of lime if too acidic.

• Label – Mark the container with the dilution rate for reference.

Your nutritious, plant-safe comfrey fertilizer is ready to use!

How to Apply Diluted Comfrey Tea

Only apply diluted comfrey tea directly to the soil around your plants. Using it as a foliar spray risks leaf burn.

Here are some tips for getting the most benefits:

• Water it into the soil around the root zone of each plant, not just sprinkled on the soil surface.

• Focus on heavy feeding plants – tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, berries, fruit trees.

• Apply it every 1-2 weeks throughout the growing season for continuous nutrition.

• Alternate comfrey tea with compost tea or manure tea for a diversity of nutrients.

• Use higher rates when plants are flowering and fruiting to boost production.

• Adjust frequency based on plant response – less if seeing burned tips, more if plants are still hungry.

• Stop feeding comfrey tea 2-3 weeks before harvesting fruits and vegetables.

With the right dilution and application, comfrey tea can be an amazing boost for your garden plants. Adjust strength as needed to optimize benefits in your soil and climate.

Common Questions about Diluting and Using Comfrey Tea

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about preparing and applying diluted comfrey tea:

How long does diluted comfrey tea last?

Diluted tea should be used within 24 hours for maximum nutrient effectiveness. The nitrogen starts degrading quickly after dilution.

Can the unused tea be stored after diluting?

It’s best to only dilute what you will use right away. But you can store diluted tea up to 1 week in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

What is the ideal water temperature for dilution?

Lukewarm water, around 60-75°F, is ideal. Too hot will degrade nutrients faster. Too cold won’t properly dissolve the tea.

Can I use hard or soft water to dilute it?

Either works fine. Hard water may leave mineral residue but won’t affect nutrient content.

Is rainwater or tap water better for diluting?

Rainwater is slightly preferable as it has no chlorine or chemicals, but tap water works fine too.

How often should I apply the diluted tea?

Every 1-2 weeks is ideal for most plants during the growing season. Adjust as needed based on plant response.

Should I alternate comfrey tea with other fertilizers?

Yes, alternate with compost tea, manure tea, fish fertilizer, etc. for a diversity of nutrients over the season.

Can I use diluted comfrey tea for container plants?

Yes, it works great for containers! Use a milder dilution and feed more carefully to avoid buildup in pots.

Troubleshooting Issues with Comfrey Tea

If you notice any problems after applying diluted comfrey tea, here are some potential causes and solutions:

• Burned leaf tips: Tea is too concentrated, dilute more before next use.

• Poor fruiting: Plants need more phosphorus, supplement with bone meal.

• Stunted growth: Nitrogen levels too high, reduce tea strength or frequency.

• Smell persists: Did not dilute enough, increase water ratio.

• Mold in tea: Do not use old tea, make a fresh batch.

• Low nutrient levels: Diluted too much, gradually increase tea concentration.

Adjust your dilution rate, application frequency, and timing to find the ideal comfrey tea regimen for your garden needs.

Conclusion

While comfrey tea has excellent potential to nourish your plants, proper dilution is essential before using it in your garden. Follow the guidelines in this article to modulate the potency for safe usage. Test on small areas first to dial in the ideal strength and application schedule. With careful dilution and application, comfrey tea can be an invaluable organic fertilizer for flourishing flowers and fruiting plants!