We put a lot of investment into high-quality bonsai tools. Tools that are well-maintained, and are of high quality will last for a lifetime. Just that little maintenance regularly might go a long way. I’m going to share how to clean bonsai tools to extend the life of bonsai tools and preserve good, quality function with a little skill.
Today I’ll go through how to clean bonsai tools properly:
Making bonsai entails more than just pinching, pruning, transplanting, defoliating, and fertilizing, all of which take a significant amount of time. Even if we aren’t aware of it, having a healthy and old bonsai is beneficial. We must also devote time to the remaining equipment required for our interest, such as organizing plants, cleaning pots, and planning for repotting. Most importantly, cleaning and disinfecting bonsai instruments are all tasks that you must complete on a regular basis.
For me, it’s just as vital as watering or fertilizing trees because the lifespan of our bonsai is dependent mostly on proper bonsai tools cleaning.
Using soap and water:
It is critical to clean the instruments entirely; for instance, it is not enough to clean the cutting blades only; you must still wash the handles because of hygiene and sanitation and to avoid probable fungal diseases among bonsai.
Using soap and water is the most effective way to clean properly. A soft bristle brush is recommended for rubbing.
Using a brush:
When cleaning a pair of scissors, for instance, ensure you clean them with a normal brush or a wire brush to remove any apparent dirt. A brush can help you clean your tools more thoroughly and without harming your fingers.
Using oil and cloth:
It’s best to use them every once in a while to keep them from getting dusty and oxidizing. If a bonsai tool is dirty, cleaning it with an oil-soaked cloth instead of water will suffice to prevent oxidation.
Now you know how to clean your bonsai tools, how about maintaining the clean tools in good condition? Allow me to share with you!
6 ways to maintain bonsai tools properly:
Bonsai tool maintenance consists of various basic aspects; cleaning to eliminate any moisture or dirt accumulated and any rust pockets. Disinfecting the instruments prevents infections from being transferred between plants accidentally. Oiling the tools makes them run more smoothly and helps to prevent rust.
Finally, sharpening the tool not only improves its performance but also makes it easier to operate.
It’s a lot easier to care for bonsai tools than working with dull or rusty ones, and it’s much less expensive than purchasing a new one every few years.
Keep it always clean and dry:
Drying your equipment is a critical step that should not be overlooked. Many bonsai masters recommend drying your bonsai tools thoroughly, even if they are made of surgical-grade stainless steel, and especially if they are made of Chinese iron.
You must recognize that, even though the tools are constructed of stainless steel, if they are not properly cared for, they will rust with time.
Because water oxidizes, you must focus on issues related to the joints, which are more vulnerable to water accumulation and rusting.
The quickest way to dry them is to use absorbent paper or a fiber fabric that can absorb a lot of moisture.
Ensure you store your bonsai tools in a cool and dry place. You can use Tsubaki oil or WD-40 to polish the tool’s edges to avoid rusting.
Removing Sap:
If, indeed, the blade of your bonsai scissors has sap on it, remove it with a little soapy water. If you don’t remove the sap, your bonsai tools will most certainly rust.
Removing Stains:
Using a wooden spatula or bamboo, remove all hard stains. Cleaning oils like TriFlow can help remove stains and offer lubrication to the blades to keep them from rusting in between gardening operations.
Rust on bonsai tools:
Rust on bonsai equipment can be a real pain; it can also compromise the tool’s performance.
Rusty tools necessitate extra care. When oxidized, bonsai tools are subject to rust even after being cleaned of dirt and sap. Given the high cost of good-quality bonsai tools, it is logical to avoid rusting as much as possible.
Oiling and Greasing
Oiling and greasing are necessary for the tool’s longevity and preservation.
Although there are numerous types of products available, they all serve the same objective.
When washing and disinfecting them, it’s possible that traces of moisture, cleaning agents (soap or bleach), and even residues of trees or substrates remain between the joints.
The three-in-one is usually worthwhile, but some of them are prone to rust. For years, most gardeners have been using Tsubaki oil or WD-40, a multi-purpose lubricant, and can vouch for its effectiveness and benefits. This oil protects dirt from oxidation and degradation by dragging it away from its most unreachable spots.
After greasing, you should properly clean all the remaining oil from the equipment. However, if a small amount of oil remains on the rivets, that is alright.
In any event, any sort of oil, including vegetable oil, can be used to grease. The most serious issue with professional oils or industrial oils, such as WD-40, is that they might be toxic. You must thoroughly clean the oil residue after use. Even though there is no danger if it is cleaned thoroughly, those concerned can always use vegetable oil, keeping in mind that it is still organic.
Disinfecting bonsai tools:
There are several key reasons for thoroughly cleaning your bonsai equipment. Both our and the trees’ hygiene is a concern. A bonsai is a living entity that can be infected by diseases, that could be spread by tools also. You can spread the fungus from one tree to another if you pinch it with fungal-infected tools.
We must remember that some bonsai plants, such as Cotoneaster or Yew, are toxic and poison other trees. Therefore, we must exercise caution when dealing with these species.
Another advantage of caring for and cleaning our bonsai equipment is that it will last longer.
Bonus: How to disinfect bonsai tools:
Bonsai tools should be kept clean; it keeps the tools in good condition. This also aids tree cleanliness by removing all bugs and pests, which might remain mostly on bonsai trees and then spread from tree to tree. Disinfecting the bonsai tools lowers the risk of this happening.
Bleach
If you’ve worked with bacteria or fungus-infested bonsai, you should soak your infected instruments in a 50 percent water solution and bleach for 24 hours. You’ll be able to sanitize our instruments and prevent the spread of disease to the rest of our bonsai this way.
Alcohol
Soak a clean cloth in alcohol, then rub carefully all the tools you need to disinfect. Many bonsai artists apply this formula before they start working on their trees.
Tips and Tricks for bonsai tools
It’s more difficult to return the tools to their original sheen if we keep them unclean and rusted. We’ll also need to clean the edges with a fiber cleaning brush while rubbing them with a little patience, or perhaps a more abrasive material, such as bitumen bicarbonate cloth. If the blade is much more oxidized, running each one with the finger might be useful.
By removing a small quantity of metal at a time, the surface is gradually cleansed. If these procedures don’t work and the tools are highly rusted, silicon carbide polishers can polish them.
Gloves are required while working with sharp cutting tools to avoid injuries. However, if the tools are of good quality and we utilize them properly, we can go for years without needing to sharpen them.
In conclusion
These tips apply equally to stainless steel or carbon steel instruments, even though the two materials have the same function.
