I'm going to start sealing the ends of my fig branches after I take cuttings in hopes of preventing dieback. Is there any particular type of wax that's best for this? Thanks.
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Bob, I would say no. You may laugh and that is fine, but I use wax toilet rings. They are cheap, go a long way, are easy to get and work great. I use it to seal when grafting, I seal the cut ends of scionwood with it, open wounds on the trees... I use it for everything!Scott - Colorado Springs, CO - Zone 4/5 (Depending on the year) - Elevation 6266ft
“Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.” – Bill Mollison
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I don't use wax (melted tea candles, a paraffin wax) on the trees just on cuttings.
For sealing the pruning cuts I use normal pruning sealer, the pruning cuts are made 1 - 2 node longer than needed and sealed, the following spring / summer the 1 or 2 nodes that die back are pruned to the recommended 45 degree cut after the new buds have grown out. Good luck.You may only view thumbnails in this gallery. This gallery has 2 photos.2 PhotosPete R - Hudson Valley, NY - zone 5b
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If I am doing a bunch of cuttings I use Gulf Wax. If it is just a couple of cuttings I use wax from a wax toilet seal. Take a small amount with a butter knife a put in on the end of the cutting and smooth with my finger.
Bill - Long Island, NY 7a
Wish List: Glacia Negra and any fig from Bari.
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After a lot of searching, all I found was this old thread. Bumping it to see what others are using these days to seal the pruning cuts on their trees (not cuttings).
I was looking for specific pruning sealer brand recommendations, but no one ever seems to say which one they use.
Have those using wood glue had good results?
And what's the latest from the liquid electrical tape users--still recommended?
Thanks!
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Source Unknown MA 5b/6a
Part Owner at Catskill Mountain Lavender
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Technically you are not to use sealer on properly pruned cuts because it prevents the cambium layer from callusing the wound and eventually covering it with cambium and Bark.
For regular fruit trees no sealer works as advertised, In practice Fig tree branches have pith which creates hollows and thin cambium layers that desiccate quickly often resulting in dieback at the pruned site. “Delayed” Pruning cuts made leaving excess material then sealing with the intent of final trimming works well for fig trees.
And almost any available water resistant pruning sealer can work, I still use asphalt based pruning sealer and trim back the excess after the buds have grown out, as mentioned in my previous post. It’s been 100% successful.
BTW if the trees are stored indoors after pruning regular Elmer’s Glue works well, it just has to dry before being exposed to any moisture.
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Lots of sources say you should not use pruning sealers after pruning trees. This is a quote from some research by the University of Arizona:
"Many people feel the need to apply wound dressings or tree sealants following pruning. However, the use of these sealants is not based on science and has been shown time and again to inhibit the healing of pruning wounds.....
The promotion of pruning sealants is simply a marketing strategy that preys on our emotions. We all want to nurture our plants and we all need to understand that woody plants have the innate ability to protect themselves. Just say “no” to pruning sealants."
Don, Danmark
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Application is sealing the branch ends when trimming, trunk damage or sealing scions while in storage. Parafilm is for graft protection or scion protection. The sealant could also be used to protect the scion end when rooting.Johnson1
Zone 9b
S of Tampa Bay, FL
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I use food grade cheese wax for sealing whiskey barrels & i bet that would be the most efficient wax. Best bang for the buck. Food grade sounds better than toilet bowlwnc Z7a Hominy Valley - fig sales at happyvalleyenv.com/shop
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Any one using bees wax? We use it only it needs to be warmed with a sterno heat under it first. Works very well except the heating is extra work. It does not hurt the cuttings or wounds. Even used instead of parafilm. The melting point is fairly low.Northern CA 9b W L- Big Large Fruited Varieties and promising new finds
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