Pruning/graft sealant?

[Telemark]

What kind do you recommend?

 

[Prof.Kent]

The jury is still out on whether sealing bark wounds even helps. Cut the bark wound smooth. Seal it if you want to. Or paint it.
If there is any cambium left it will grow new bark outward. If the cambium has been removed down to wood, then the bark has to grow inward from the edges of the wound to completely heal. That will take time.

 

[yoderjac]

I like Doc Farwell's. I most worry about insect damage and such with large wounds that can occur with bark grafts. I like to make my cuts at a slight angle so water does not pool on the wound.

 

[Telemark]

What about bench grafts?

 

[Telemark]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-Johni-Ring-Without-Sleeve-Toilet-Wax-Ring/3956159

This is cheap, and it says it is made of "golden wax". Internet says that is a soy-based wax with a low melting point.

 

[yoderjac]

For grafts that don't leave a large wound (like bark grafting) and that depend on cambium contact (W&T, Wedge, ...) and don't really require much pressure, I like freezer tape. It degrades in the field like masking tape and if you use a single layer it does not need to be removed. Unlike masking tape, it has a waterproof coating that keeps moisture out until the graft heals. I like to use a single layer of Parafilm-M on my scions above the graft. Buds easily break through and it helps keep it from drying out until the graft heals.

Thanks,

jack

 

[Telemark]

What's the difference between parafilm and parafilm-m?

 

[yoderjac]

There are all kinds of parafilm. I bought some that has no stretch and is thin. It is good for some apps, but buds don't easily break through it. Parafilm-M is used in the laboratory industry for sealing test tubes and such. It is thicker and thins as you stretch it. It is kind of waxy. Buds break through it easily. I'm not endorsing this company, it is just a source I found through google that shows the right stuff: https://www.zoro.com/parafilm-sealn...-R3xgzWEsOOC4L6VZi2qkmz-suMM_cVhoC6MMQAvD_BwE

The narrowest I find is 2". I typically cut it down the middle to make 1" wide strips.

Folks selling grafting supplies use "parafilm" in a generic sense and depending on where you buy it, the characteristics can be quite different. Here is a wiki on M which is the stuff I like for most applications: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parafilm

Thanks,

Jack

 

[SmallChunk]

Has anybody on here used buddy tape for grafting? It's supposed to be the new one to use?

 

[greyphase]

Has anybody on here used buddy tape for grafting? It's supposed to be the new one to use?

I got a small sample from a lady on the North American Scion Exchange facebook page. For the cost I wasn't impressed with it, but some people swear by it. I guess it's just what your use to. I'm comfortable with this parafilm.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G3Q5O7O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Telemark]

Thanks, guys.