I thought about starting this, so that it would save everyone some regret later down the line... Besides, the very purpose of a forum is that people from all over should engage collectively for everyone's betterment. So if there are any gardening tools or gadgets that catch your eye. And you want to buy them. But are unsure about how they will perform or stand the test of time? Than let's talk about it here. Maybe someone has already bought it, and from experience would have something to say about it. Or maybe someone amongst us has heard or seen a better option. It could also be that someone amongst us might realize that there is something out there, which they never knew existed. But will now prove to he very useful for them too - Or someone would get an idea from all this, to build something better for themselves! Basically it's all about deciding if a gardening tool or gadget is worth buying or not. Be it an automated sprinkler, mister/fogger, or drip feeding irrigation system. Or just some ordinary tool that does something unique. Or something totally futuristic. It all should be talked about here!
OK, so here goes - I am seeking all your opinions about this plastic rooting ball below. I like it, as I have several lime bushes growing. And occasionally they do grow branches irregularly, (which can go over the wall into the neighbor's territory). So I sometimes need to cut them, which doesn't make me happy at all. But why let that growth go to waste? Why not make a new plant from it, which I can gift to anyone I like. And thus create more of these top quality delicious limes in the world for everyone to enjoy! So what's your verdict? Worth spending money on? Will it really make the job more streamlined? Or are there any hidden surprises in this that I'm not yet aware of?
I have seen those but, a bit of plastic wrap and a pair of bread twist tie works just as well and costs nothing because the twist ties come free with the bread and you can reuse plastic wrap instead of throwing it out. I can see, if you had really bad arthiritis, they might be preferable to twisting a bread tie if that were painful for you. Otherwise I would call that a waste of money and more plastic added to the already overly polluted environment. Just my opinion, remember !!
What you wrote at first made no sense to me at all. Because since forever I can remember, bread is packed in a plastic bag that is tied with a rubber band. Which when exposed to outside elements will decay in a week to 10 days. So I had to look up what you were saying. Then I realized that what you were talking about is what we here call twist ties, (not to be confused with cable ties). That holds together cables of electronic items when we open their packing. No these are not common here. As bread bags are tied up with rubber bands... We will have to purchase twist tie from horticulture supplies, (below). So if we are to buy something anyway, why not get the right tool for the job...
Zoom in. !! They're called twist ties in the States and that's because you twist them and, they come in various colors. Rubber bands and twist ties both deteriorate but, you aren't going to need them on there forever. Twist ties last way longer than rubber bands. A year at least is my experience. If you already buy twist ties for plants, what's the issue? Buy your plastic thingy if you want it. My opinion, which you did ask for is: Waste of Money.
This is what we have here, rubber bands only, never any twist tie... I don't, as I saw no point in getting it. As I make my own cord from PET bottles. I even posted about it, (link below). https://www.gardenstew.com/threads/making-plastic-stings-from-discarded-soda-bottles.33227/ I actually appreciate your opinion. Which is essential when it comes to healthy brainstorming.
Ok. I've a mower, a strimmer, a garden vac. and a scarifier. All mains electric. Apart from those, I get by with the traditional sort of garden tools that have been used for hundreds of years. I've never been tempted to buy any other new gadgets. A lot of "gardening" is done on your knees with just hand trowels and forks. I do have a "kneeler." It's the seat off an old exercise machine of my wife's. The handles were last used to hang particular items of washing to air and the seat she just sat on when she was talking on the phone to her friends for ages.
I do agree that a lot of good money can easily be wasted on unnecessary gadgets, when simple old fashioned hand tools and methods often do a job just as well or even better. I especially loathe these new fangled plastic lumps of tat, and wouldn't consider them - except maybe good strong clothes pegs for the washing line. This old method is just as good and just as easy for air layering - even if one has a million or two in the bank Maybe it's a man thing this gadget thing and then, just some men. Zigs for example - why use ordinary shears if you can do it with a ruddy chainsaw ??
This is the method I used, numerous times, successfully. I just used string to tie the bags - no zip ties, rubber bands, or special clips. Fig trees are really easy to root, anyway. Air layering gives a bigger tree in a shorter period of time, and with less TLC compared to cuttings. I've also used variations of this for roses and lavender. In response to the question, will the black ball-shaped rooting device work, I imagine it will, and be easier than the plastic bag method. It also excludes light. I wrapped with aluminum foil to do that. But for only a few starts, the bag method seems fine.
The most "game changing" tools for me are three battery operated tools - a pruner, a hedge trimmer, and a 6 inch chain saw. The chain saw tends to need fixing the chain pretty often. The others are very reliable and incredibly helpful. My biggest concern is that the pruner instantly and easily cuts through branches 3/4 inch in diameter. I shudder to think of what if a finger gets into the way. I use a chain mail glove, but it's awkward and I forget, often.
I like the fact that this item makes everything easy. Plus light too can't get into it to spoil everything. But... What I don't like is that it doesn't have any hinges, but just a fold. Which one day will experience fatigue and break - At which point I'll start grumbling... So I've decided to make this myself, (instead of buying it). And I'll make it with hinges. Also I wouldn't make it spherical, but elongated capsule shape. So more roots will be able to grow in it. That's the idea anyhow. And I thank all of you for your input, which I really do appreciate. Now onto the next item! If any of you are also considering something to buy, do please share over here. So we can all brainstorm some more, (as this has been a most delightful experience).
