Very good question! There was always meant to be a part two, but looks like I never quite got round to it. It would have been midoritsumi, pinching out new growth some time in May (in the UK). Give me seven years and I’ll get round to it…😬

@@jakehobson904 Are there any other cloud pruning videos?

Thank you for pointing that out, it was a mistake made at the time of filming and we've not been able to remake the film yet. Watch this space for an updated film though

That's wonderful to hear!

Absolutely. If you cut out the leader at a whorl (set of branches) and then cut each of the top side branches back to shorter side branches you can then keep the tree to that height indefinitely.

go for it - there's no time like now!

Something like that, yes. The Niwaki #220 stone would work well, or the Twin Diamond File, which very quickly grinds out any nicks and puts a crude new edge on.

If it seems blunt on the cutting edge is probably a double bevel sheer.

Not sure if I ever got round to part 2!! Basically, don’t let anyone shear your pines, please…

There's no hard and fast rules on a sharpening angle, we generally say roughly 10-15 degrees. More like Mount Fuji than K2

Thank you! This video was filmed many years ago, we've got a lot more secateurs to choose from in our range now. In terms of Okatsune, the 101, 103 and 104 secateurs all have the same general purpose pruning capability, but they are designed for different sized hands. We also now have our own Mainichi Secateurs which are designed to have the same cutting ability and comfort as the Okatsune 103s and are a very good alternative. We also have our GR Pro range of secateurs which are used by professionals and keen gardeners for all round pruning, these are our most popular secateurs and are fantastic for general use. Have a look at our website for the full range, if possible, visit our Chiltern Street shop or Semley showroom to try them before you buy

@@niwakihq Thanks for your reply! I appreciate it, lots of great info. Ill be sure to get into your shop when i can.

Of course, I'll make sure I cover it in a future video. Sharpening curved blades uses the same technique as straight blades, clean with Crean Mate, sharpen with sharpening stone - following the natural curve of the blade, without applying too much pressure on the stone - and lubricate with Camellia oil. Hope that helps

That’s great thank you 🙏

Autumn is best but over winter is ok

What about Midwest United States? What would be the best time to trim?

autumn is usually the best, once growth has stopped, with early summer for bud pruning.

@@niwakihq excellent thanks

I have Hiryu, never looked back 😎

It’s hard to say for sure, but if you look at our Safe Standing Height guide, you’ll get a good idea. The 8 footer is a very popular size, and gets you standing with your feet at 5’.

Thinning lets light in and encourages new growth from within the branch not just at the tips. It creates a style, that then becomes a look, etc. Some areas and styles don’t thin so much.

@@jakehobson904 great, thanks. You're a busy man, but if you ever get a chance more Niwaki instruction videos would be great! Suggestions: Tree varieties, the pro's and con's A tour of your field/niwaki nursery A beginners guide to pine pruning (its complicated!) 😁

@@rootsandvulture one day!

@@jakehobson904 I await patiently 😆

Stunt isn’t really the right word, but yes, you can keep trees at a certain height by pruning them, and it works well with pines. Give it a go!

Definitely give it a try! I’ve seen bonsai in Japan - they work well, but for me it’s all about the scale of the lower trunk v the lightness of the tall trunks, so the bigger the better !!

I prefer them! It's hard to say 'they'd be better' but Japanese Secateurs in general have a different feel and action, and better steel (if treated well), but it's very personal.

For regular pruning - winter and summer, cutting back yearly growth - they use the Aomori style secateurs in Japan. These would be our Niwaki Joppari or Tobisho Hiryu, which both have extra cushioning with a second spring. For heavier work, the GR Pro Secateurs, or S-Types would be fine, and actually most of our better quality secateurs are of a similar quality, with just slight differences between makers and styles. I hope that helps Jake.

@@niwakihq Great thanks 👍

@@niwakihq the jopari’s are well over £200 👀 they do look a good pair though

They were Tobisho Barracuda Clippers - yes, a hybrid. Really good for heavy clipping. Niwaki also have the GR Pro Barracuda, similar spec. Both very good all rounders.

@@niwakihq thanks for the reply JH. I will certainly be having browse. The trouble is deciding and trying not to run a massive cart!

Thanks Don. I got these commercially propagated - I’ve tried doing it myself (Just sticking a few prunings in the ground) and only get 1 in 10 success rate. But I don’t have green fingers!

Camellia Oil.

Hi Kathryn, You can order on niwaki.com, with free shipping over $100. thanks.

@@niwakihq Thank you. I have arthritis in my hands, so good tools make gardening much easier for me.

Так!

I don’t think I said you can’t sharpen them - I said (or meant) that carbon steel sharpens up and holds its edge better than stainless steel - generally.

@@jakehobson904 maybe i misunderstood during the first 45 seconds