How to Properly Use Secateurs for Pruning?
Pruning is a vital task in the garden that encourages robust plant growth, improves plant shape, and eliminates any dead or diseased branches. For achieving clean and precise cuts, having the right tool and in good condition is essential. Secateurs truly are a gardener’s best friend with many people having multiple pairs.
No matter what type of secateurs you’re using, understanding the right techniques can truly enhance the health and beauty of your plants.
1. Select the Perfect Secateurs for Your Needs
Not all secateurs are created equal, and picking the right type will guarantee an accurate and effective cut:
Bypass Secateurs are the most common type in Australia. The have a curved blade, sharp only on the outer edge that cuts down beside the curved anvil. They are perfect for trimming live stems and where you need to make sharp, precise cuts. Ideal for nurturing blooms, vibrant shrubs, and tender branches.
Anvil Secateurs have an upper blade that is typically sharp both sides and cuts down onto a flat or curved lower anvil. They are perfect for tackling dry, dead wood with ease.
Most ratchet secateurs are of the anvil design. Ratchet secateurs are extremely popular with gardeners with tendonitis, arthritis, and/or those with declining strength because they take less effort to prune thicker and harder stems.
Snips have a scissor-like action. Like scissors the blades are longer and pointier but better because they have a spring. Snips are ideal for dead heading, picking flowers and herbs, thinning growth in foliage and propagation. Snips are used by florists, nurseries and for finer work such as bonsai.
If you’re in the market for some new secateurs, remember ‘you get what you pay for’. Seek out those crafted from high-quality materials especially for the blade and springs. If you can try before you buy, even better to check for comfortable and ergonomic grips.
2. Have Your Secateurs Ready for Action
Before you start pruning, your secateurs should be clean, sharp and oiled. It is best to do this at the end of your previous pruning session, so they are ready to go next time:
✔ Clean – gently wipe the blades with disinfectant and dry. During pruning you may want to clean and disinfect the secateurs between plants if one of more are showing signs of disease or infection.
✔ Sharp – no need to sharpen your secateurs every time you use them. When you are not getting a clean easy cut then this is the time. A finely honed blade ensures clean cuts that promote quicker healing, helping to ward off disease.
✔ Oiled – Just like nurturing your plants, a little oil on the hinge and moving parts goes a long way in keeping things running smoothly. Don’t forget the spring if your secateurs have one of those silver volute springs.
3. Perfect Your Pruning Skills
Employing the proper technique not only reduces harm to your beloved plants but also makes the task much more enjoyable. Embrace these steps:
1. Determine What Cut to Make – There are two main types of pruning cuts – thinning and tip pruning.
Thinning is where you remove the complete branch or stem. Typically seek out those dead, damaged, or overgrown branches that need attention. Thinning reduces overcrowding for better light, air and nutrients. Make the cut just outside the collar of the branch or stem coming off the leader stem.
Tip pruning, also called head pruning, is where you remove about 5 to 10cm from the stem ends to actively promote new growth and more flowers.
2. Make an Angled Cut – When pruning, gently position the blade at a 45O angle just above a budding node. This promotes vibrant regrowth and helps avoid water pooling.
3. Be Gentle with Stems – Make sure to utilise the sharp cutting edge of your secateurs for a clean cut. Blunt blades can damage stems, resulting in inadequate healing and the risk of disease. You should be able to cut the stem without forcing or rotating the secateurs around the stem for multiple cuts. Utilise Loppers (Long-Handled Secateurs) for thicker branches or those higher up. Loppers are fantastic for easing the pressure on your hands and back while you tend to your beloved plants.
CutAbove Tools offers the best Secateurs that are an essential tool in any garden. Having a quality product in good condition and using the correct techniques will promote thriving plants and enhance the joy of nurturing your garden.
