graft wax

Thank you, what a great video! I just use stuff from around the house, but didn't know about all these options! I didn't now that grafting wax was basically thick paint. I want to try using plastic bags, as I've found the electrical tape does remove bark as you said, but I've only peeled it off, not cut.

 

Adie80

3 years ago (edited)

Hi there! Thanks for the informative video. I have wild rough lemon rootstock growing in my yard. I think it somehow made its way to my property from a neighbor’s lemon tree on the opposite side of a block wall. The rough lemon is very established, but the fruit, obviously, isn’t great. It has many shoots and branches so I thought I would use it to practice grafting. I’m using lime, a more desirable lemon, and orange scion wood. I used various grafting techniques seeing as this was a learning experience. I bark grafted, patch grafted and T-budded at various points, 6 in total. I wrapped with parafilm, but then covered with black electrical tape and aluminum foil over that. Rain was forecasted a couple of days after my graft work so I wanted to make sure things stayed protected and it felt like I’d need more holding power than the parafilm provided. That said, when should remove the electrical tape, especially over the bud grafts? I’d assume it will inhibit things if left on too long. Also, I’ve seen grafting examples where a bud is left uncovered and others where the wrap covers it completely. I went with the latter as I was concerned about the impending rain. Any advice?

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SkillCult

3 years ago

I would probably unwrap to just the parafilm and worry only about sun. Put some shade on the grafts until you see growth is the safest. Some just use paper bags tied over, or just shade the whole tree. Iv'e only grafted citrus by whip and tongue, using half ripe wood of the current season's growth, so like right now take this year's wood trim off the juicy green tip wood and all the leaves and graft. Good luck. Hopefully some will take. If you really think the rain could be a problem, maybe more parafilm, you can also use white glue or latex paint to seal where needed.

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Adie80

3 years ago (edited)

Two questions: 1 do you have any information on the diffusion of ethene (aka ethylene, the"aging hormone" of plants) through (double sealed) plastic freezer bags? I don't have a fridge that has been dedicated free of fruit (in re scion storage). 2. What is your opinion of toilet gasket wax, perhaps softened by heat or heated with crisco etc then cooled, as a substitute for grafting wax? Since no one grafts here, but everyone has a toilet, it is easier to find in big box hardware stores. It seemed to work (as is) for sealing the wrap over (summer) budding wounds (on pear).
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[SkillCult]
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[MrMousedude]

MrMousedude

6 years ago (edited)
someone suggested I try "rubber splicing tape", and I really like it. It's like electrical tape, but it's made of rubber. It has no adhesive, sticks and fuses to itself but not anything else, and it stretches and rebounds like a rubber band. It's almost like it was designed for grafting. It does need to be removed because it doesn't break down like a rubber band. A roll of 3M-Temflex 2155 costs about 4 bucks and will last a long time. I got mine at the local big-box hardware store.
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[SkillCult]
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[eliteagle75]

eliteagle75

4 years ago
I use Teflon tape and it has work magnificent. This tape won’t let air in and this is what grafts need.
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[SkillCult]
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[PunkyRoo]

PunkyRoo

3 years ago
Found one of your older videos researching if I could use plumbers Teflon tape for grafting. :)
[SkillCult]
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[SkillCult]
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[Lolita's Garden]

Lolita's Garden

6 years ago
What about beeswax? I have quite a bit left over from being a terrible beekeeper. Wondering if I can parlay that into being a terrible orchardist. Thanks for the tips and the reassurance that buying gear isn't step one.

 

 

 

 

SkillCult , Thanks so much! I actually did seal one bud graft with white craft glue as I placed it in a spot that was difficult to wrap without thinking about it.. I’m glad that’s an actual thing! I’ll unwrap the electrical tape and leave things with just the parafilm and a shade cover. Fingers crossed. Thanks, again!