The Flame WeederA big misunderstanding about flame weeders is that they are intended to burn up the weeds. In fact killing weeds can be achieved by heating alone and without burning weeds black (but they do glow bright green). In organic gardening the flame weeder is especially useful for reducing weed seedlings within rows and beds, and on paths and drives.
See below then - click here for UK Weeder's product page Two Types of Flame Weeder - and how to use themWEED WAND TYPE BURNING CANISTER OR BOTTLED GASThis a simple tube with an ignition button and flow control knob attached to a removable gas canister at the handle end. The flame is small, relatively safe, easy to control and use. Ensure the gas connections are free of dirt and grit and screw in the cannister hand tight. Simply turn on the control knob and push the ignition button. The button triggers a simple a pizzo-electric generated spark to ignite the flame. The gas canister releases gas just like a fizzy drink bottle when you take the top off. On one occasion, I increased the gas flow only to hear a fizzing sound coming from the canister. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to increase the flow too much as the bottle was soon empty. To put out the flame simply turn the gas flow off. There is often a deep "hoo" sound as it goes out. More advanced models have a forward bend in the tube. This is more comfortable to hold and ensures the flame is directed away from your feet. Use this type of model for spot weeding, on paving, against walls, along small paths, and with rock and scree gardens. They can also be used in greenhouses while taking care to keep off the glass. Besides being light and easy to use the Weed Wand style flamer is ideal for smaller confined areas. Some gardeners also use them to de-freeze pipes or melt ice. The Weed Wand is a little small for use on larger garden areas e.g. a 'stale bed' after seeding a new lawn of several square metres. You can also get flame weeders that attach to larger gas household bottles by a flexible pipe. A trolley may be available to move larger gas bottles more easily. LARGER PARAFFIN FIERCE FLAME WEEDER 
The X300 is a better tool for flame weeding larger areas e.g. allotments, longer rows, larger seed beds. It is considerably larger than the Weed Wand and produces a fierce flame. This is not for use in confined spaces.
It burns liquid paraffin like that used in greenhouse heaters. This is also sometimes known as Parasene. The X300 consists of a paraffin tank with regulator, pressure guage, filler cap, hand pump, tank handle, and fuel pipe with burner… Self-assembly is simple. How does the X300 work? A hand pump increases pressure in the tank. The regulator allows fuel down the fuel pipe to the burner. Here it passes through a coil where the paraffin is pre-heated. It emerges at the back of the burner as gas and ignites to provide a fiercely hot flame. Check the operating instructions that are included. Additional Notes On Operating the X300. It's best to avoid a windy day, but in any event remain up wind of the burner and have plenty of space in front of the burner. Before lighting replace cap on fuel can and remove it to safety. You’ll need either a long stemmed match or lighted taper to light the paraffin soaked wick. I found that lighting paraffin on a spring day was a bit like trying to light water. It needs either a wick to stimulate evaporation or some warmth. Take care because once alight the flame can engulf all around it. Once there’s enough paraffin to ignite and burn for 3 minutes, close the regulator. Then ignite. With the flame burning in the chimney you can leave it for 3 minutes or so with the regulator closed. Take care that excess paraffin doesn’t drip out of the back to burn on your side. As fuel in the pre-heat coil heats up and turns to gas, the flame roars. By this time you should have pumped the pressure up to 20. With a continuous roar issuing forth open the regulator a half turn. You’ll have a fierce hot flame. Even a sideways glance is enough to kill plant leaves. To better contain the flame, I recommend purchasing the hood. The trolley accessory takes the weight of the paraffin tank. Kills Weeds By Heat - Not By BurningHeat kills the weeds without the need for combustion to ash. You actually see the leaf glow bright green. The heat disrupts leaf proteins and bursts leaf cells. This prevents the manufacture of plant sugars. Without a supply of sugars, the fibrous roots die.Flamers are not as effective against established perennial weeds with underground tap roots. These weeds can regenerate. Perennial plants can be knocked back by flame weeders, but again, grasses are often capable of regenerating. They will die after continued regular use. Avoid using flame weeders close to single stemmed climbing plants like runner beans. They rely on one stem for sap flow and will be most adversely effected by over heating. Where To Use Flame WeedersOPEN GROUND INTENDED FOR SEED SOWING AND PLANTINGFlame weeders are effective on open ground intended for seed sowing or planting. In these circumstances annual weeds germinating from seed are particularly aggressive. While weeding with the hoe can stimulate more weed seeds to grow. After ground preparation and sowing, but before gemination of veg or flowers, flame weeders can destroy the annual weeds. It's like a stale bed but weeded by fire. This gives the garden plants and vegetables a chance to establish. Flame weeders are especially suited to use between root crops like carrots. You can continue to use flame weeders carefully between the crop rows during establishment up to about 12 weeks. If using the large flamer I would recommend using a hood to protect the crop. Rock and Scree Gardens Burn Off Hollows, Strawy Weedy Corners, Kill Weed Seeds & Disease BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN - further information on organic weed control
|
