Comfrey root has a long history of very safe use. It's good to know the biases inherent in your sources of information. Varro Tyler had a reputation for being anti traditional herbalism...in other words he was biased against traditional uses of herbs. He was a scientist who only believed what he could prove in his lab, in other words his knowledge of herbs was purely intellectual...he was not an herbalist who actually worked with clients who were taking the herbs. Medicinal plants are much much more than the sum of their chemical constituents....they are incredibly complex living organisms whose interactions in the human body cannot be completely understood just by knowing what their constituents are. In addition, his writings have been reviewed, critiqued and some parts debunked by a host of other highly knowledgable and respected herbalists. Notably herbalist Jonathan Treasure has reviewed his writings in depth. So while his research is certainly useful its not entirely authoritative. Having said all that I believe comfrey root is safest used topically in salves and the tea of the young leaves used only when specifically indicated and for short periods of time. Respectfully, Kali

Rooting hormones are a relatively inexpensive way to increase your chances. I can't see why you would want to avoid using them. I went the whole route. Bottom heat, a mist system on a timer, all under lath and shade cloth. Oh yes, and a rooting hormone. I successfully propagated hundreds of shrubs and trees. You should check out the GardenWeb Plant Propagation Forum. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/propa/ Mike Here is a link that might be useful: Plant propagation.

A few days ago, after finding a large limb of one of our 'Lady Clare' camellias broken by a pine branch that had fallen during a storm, I spent a few minutes reading the chapter on propagation in one of my old Sunset publications entitled _Growing Camellias_. That chapter advises against moving rooted camellia cuttings except when they are in active growth. It says that if you move them when they are not in active growth, you will lose a high percentage of them.

Rooted cuttings, I hope. I usually use 10 to 20% by volume in my potting soil mix. One part coffee grounds + 3-4 parts dried cow/horse manure + 10-15 parts shredded maple (or oak or other broadleaf tree) leaves, ground together and allowed to mold, then worked over by worms = black gold.