Serious propagating equipment. Felco #2 - the Clipper of Champions.
So... here is the story behind this obscure post. After my 'Bamboo Diet' offload of a few thousand pounds of bamboo, my good friend and bamboo wholesaler spent some time as usual chatting with my wife and I (which we really enjoy). We travelled to the backyard to discuss bamboo and the conversation headed towards good propagation techniques for bamboo. Sacramento is a great place to propagate plants. A little heat can do wonders when used with the right plants, and we have heat, lots of it in Sacramento in the late Spring through mid-Fall. Used to an advantage, we Sacramentans can propagate plants like there is no tomorrow.
But alas, propagation is a little art and science mixed in proper proportions. And of course, you need the proper equipment.
Demonstrating culm cuttings, I was asked for a pair of clippers, I hand him my rusty 'big-box' specials, left a few days in the rain and lost and found in the garden a few times. These suckers were as dull as they come and pathetic. I get a look from my friend that says without uttering a word... 'Are you serious!?'
My verbal reply, 'That's what I have.' With a look of shame for my lack of real gardening equipment.
He ran to his truck and revealed a beautiful tool... his Felco #2 clippers. Beautiful. I think I saw a glow coming from them.
His reply, 'You need these. You can sharpen them. Take them apart. Order replacement parts. I've had these for 20 years."
Damn... I've been schooled. I have been enlightened.
Next day (or so), my wife orders one for her and one for me (above are mine). They arrive a few days later. We try them on our coveted Japanese Maples. The have a clean cut and they cut like 'warm butta.' Beautiful. No more rusty, cheap clippers for me, live and learn.
Cheers!
Sean
Mad Man Bamboo
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
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Twitter: @madmanbamboo
3 comments:
I've had mine for a few years, and although I'm sure they're not the only good pruners on the market I'll never know about the others because I'll have these forever.
I use a little carbide sharpening tool to keep them dangerous.
How do they do for rust? I have some Fiskars drop-forged pruners which have replaceable blades, but they do tend to get rusty.
Alan - Yes, dangerously sharp is what is needed for good, successful propagation.
DD - I'm not sure, I would imagine they would rust like many similar tools. The Felco's have replaceable everything - springs, blades, etc., etc.
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