Propagation Tools

Choose the Best Tools to Make More Plants

Tools in the Nursery – Propagation

My absolute favorite thing in the world is making more plants from cuttings – so I spare no expense in buying quality tools for my stock in trade.

The success of my nursery depends on the success of the propagation I do.

One of my favorite tools for vegetative propagation is my grafting knife, folding into a teak handle. The company that makes them, Tina, is in Switzerland; buy them from mail order companies that specialize in gardening and nursery tools.

Grafting knives and cutting knives are only sharpened on one side. Grafting knives are pointed to enable you to pry open the tissues and line up the cambium layers when grafting. I use mine primarily for preparing cuttings, but either way it has to be sharp.

I use a sharpening stone to put a keen edge on my knives. Cutting knives generally don’t have a sharp point, but are otherwise similar in construction. Once you have a favorite knife, it becomes part of your hands and you’ll have a hard time adapting to any other.

For taking cuttings of succulent plants I sometimes use a razor blade, the kind with a one sharp edge and one protected edge.

I also use this for packaging, to cut boxes down and cut rolls of cardboard to length. My other favorite tool for taking cuttings are a pair of Japanese bonsai scissors. They are sharp and have a point, and are comfortable to use for long propagation sessions. I have never sharpened these, but occasionally wipe them with oil to prevent rust.

I also have at least two pairs of Felco number 2 pruners for taking heavier cuttings or pruning plants in the landscape, and a pair of Felco loppers, 17 inch size for making twiggy rustic crafts.

Other tools in my arsenal are a few nails of different sizes. I use these for pushing ends of thyme cuttings into the soil mix; sometimes I’ll use a wooden skewer for this too.

It pays in the end to purchase good quality tools as they last longer and are a pleasure to use. Take good care of them, and they’ll last you a lifetime.

Wanting to learn more about Succulent Plant Propagation?

buy the Succulent Plant Propagation E-Book

go to Drought Smart Plants home page

go to Vegetative Propagation

go to Succulent Plant Propagation