removing dead lilly pads without getting into the pond

[micaaronfl76]

looking for options, mi borrow my neighbors extender branch cutter thing, i am not sure what its actual name is, but i know its 80 bucks ugh. any DIY options?

 

[HTH]

Let them rot. Learn to look past that and enjoy the rest of the pond. After a while they will not bother you.

But I am thinking that is now what you wanted to hear.

 

[brokensword]

mica; follow this link to a DIY tool...

http://www.gardenendeavors.com/rack/web20.html

 

[adavisus]

DIY, hmmm, you might say so.

Chop longish straightish branch from tree, six? twelve foot long? length according to distance to lilypads to snip

Take short sharp kitchen knife, lash to end of branch, with about 1" branch extending further than knife tip

Use strips of plastic from plastic shopping bags, lash knife real tight to branch, hopefully there's a 1/2" gap between blade and branch

To cut lilypad stem, wiggle stem into gap between knife and branch, rotate branch until there's a bit of tension of sharp knife edge against the stem, then whip knife blade upwards to severe stem. Might take one or two attempts if stems are real tough odorata type waterlilies

Regards, andy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21940871@N06/
http://swglist.wordpress.com/

 

[DrCase]

I have a 4ft trimmer for my water plants, you cut it then grab it
Look up pond tools . It was around 30$

 

[Event Horizon]

I use a utility knife blade bolted onto a 6 foot bamboo stake. I suppose you could use any stick or dowel. I put a few washers on each side of the blade and bolt it on carefully as they can be brittle. I use the tool with caution, as it is very sharp and it is possible for the blade to snap. Been using this for a few years for hard to reach pruning and fount it handy as it is super sharp.


I am at work so I can’t take a picture of it, but it looks like this.

 

[sissy]

more fun to swim with the fish :cheerful:

 

[Mmathis]

Lots of good ideas!

 

[micaaronfl76]

I use a utility knife blade bolted onto a 6 foot bamboo stake. I suppose you could use any stick or dowel. I put a few washers on each side of the blade and bolt it on carefully as they can be brittle. I use the tool with caution, as it is very sharp and it is possible for the blade to snap. Been using this for a few years for hard to reach pruning and fount it handy as it is super sharp.


I am at work so I can’t take a picture of it, but it looks like this.

pond tool.jpg

when u get a chance can u post the actual pic, having trouble visualizing

 

[Event Horizon]

when u get a chance can u post the actual pic, having trouble visualizing

This rusted over winter but gives you the idea. Using a new blade makes cutting easy, using the tool the same way as adavisus does.

 

[adavisus]

Lashing a knife blade parallel to the rod with a half inch gap allows the target stem to be isolated with less risk of dinging other foliage, the rod shields the blade

I like the idea of the sharp blade as a long axe of sorts, the lily stem could be held by a rod with a fork to hold stem as the 'axe' design hacks, hmmmm... might try that, two rods, one to hold stem, other to chop...

Regards, andy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21940871@N06/
http://swglist.wordpress.com/

 

[DrCase]

Here is a not so good pic of mine but you get the idea , its light and easy

 

[Event Horizon]

Lashing a knife blade parallel to the rod with a half inch gap allows the target stem to be isolated with less risk of dinging other foliage, the rod shields the blade

I like the idea of the sharp blade as a long axe of sorts, the lily stem could be held by a rod with a fork to hold stem as the 'axe' design hacks, hmmmm... might try that, two rods, one to hold stem, other to chop...

Regards, andy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21940871@N06/
http://swglist.wordpress.com/

I have found I am able to get in target the stem I want, then just pull towards myself to cut it, however I must admit I have looked at the wrong stem, and cut the wrong thing :banghead3:

 

[Event Horizon]

Here is a not so good pic of mine but you get the idea , its light and easy

I have seen these, but they are always shorter than I would like. How long is yours?

 

[addy1]

I just wade in and groom mine, no way any of those cutters would work for me.