Grafting Wax

[disc4tw]

Many threads have posed questions about grafting sealants. I wanted to put one together that summarizes what I have found most helpful in the learning process.

TL;DR-

For bench grafting indoors; Currently produced toilet bowl wax probably bad (petroleum products present), Parrafin/beeswax combo+ heat good

Grafting outside/established trees; Buddy Tape/ Parafilm M good, Parafilm acceptable.

First year in the life of a scion

You could still buy a deep fryer and get your wax ready and do all the dipping in advance. Even if you need to cut twice on a scion where there’s wax you can. I’ve posted many times about the deep fryer I use. Here it is: I’ve found that about .3 oz paraffin to .1 oz. beeswax is consistent. Once the scions look like they have a watery surface I just cult a sliver about 1/4" of one of my paraffin chunks and a sliver less than that of beeswax and I’m back in business. Repeat as often as nec…

Grafting ideas and questions

160 F is right where you want to be. I use this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Farberware-1-1L-Stainless-Steel-Deep-Fryer-with-Dishwasher-Safe-Basket-Lid-Handle/46528741 Fill it almost full but leave 1/2" or 1" and add: .25 oz paraffin for bench grafting (and you can dip the scion plus the union all at once.) For waxing scions to take to the field you will use .25 oz paraffin to .1 oz beeswax. Look at your scions and cut them into pieces in advance leaving enough room unwaxed to make your cut…

Grafting ideas and questions

Here’s the exact recipe I was given many years ago. That guy used to cut the top off a plastic milk jug bottle so there was enough room to work. He would heat water above 160 F and pour that in with the piece of wax and wait for it to cool to 160 and then work fast. I modified it for that 1.1 liter deep fryer. This is exactly what he wrote: "Box of paraffin wax from grocery or hardware store. Cut the box in half. That gives you (8) pieces. Cut those in half. You now have (16) 1 oz piece…

Toilet bowl wax

I’m glad you asked this. As others have said, there are lots of people here who have used toilet bowl wax and seemed to be satisfied with it. I used it for 2 years and have come to feel very, very certain that it is a terrible thing to use and should be avoided. I can’t explain how other people have had success unless maybe there are different formulas for toilet bowl wax and the one I was using was particularly bad. I only used the cheapest one that Lowes sold, fyi. THe problem I found, and…

And an overview on grafting if you’ve missed it-

Beginner Grafting Guide

We have plenty of threads on specific trees, materials, and techniques, but not a general guide for the beginner to learn the basics that I am aware of. I am currently that beginner, so I hope this inspires others to try their hand at grafting and offers the tools and technology to be successful once proper techniques are developed. I will be linking other posts I’ve bookmarked and linking outside articles that have helped me to develop an understanding of the processes along the way, both biolo…

[clarkinks]

Great thread i have plenty of experience and suggestions. Came up with a method that works well for me most of the time which is garden tape and parafilm over that. Use it on clefts, whip and tonque etc… use the other methods mentioned less frequently since our weather changed in Kansas somewhat. Used pruning seal and grafting wax for years but then we started having warmer springs and i began having grafting fails. The wax or seal melted sonetimes between the scion and rootstock and caused me problems. The method is great but my climate hasn’t been for a few years. This is what im doing now and i use modeling clay if i need it because it does not melt like others but still works. It is more expensive Grafting large Callery and BET pear rootstocks in 2022

[Travis]

When I use wax for cuttings or grafting I’ve been mixing the toilet ring wax. I use about 50/50% toilet and beeswax/parrafin. That hardens the toilet wax but softens the other. That way it won’t flake off super easy but yet will come off.

One tip is to float the wax in a container with hot water. That way you don’t need a large amount. I just fill an old saucepan with water and put the wax in that. Heat it up on the stove. The wax will float and you have a lot more depth to dip it.

[JimmyM]

I just made a wax warmer with a beer can and a candle. Use the wax from the cheese my wife eats. But parafilm is so much easier.

[Sprout_It]

I have no personal experience with the flex seal in a spray can, and saw some members have tried it. I was hoping someone could chime in to see their results.

[disc4tw]

It is absolutely amazing stuff for what I do at work. That said, I’d personally avoid it for the chance of petrochemical damage.

Edit to clarify - I am not against the use of petroleum products from an organic growing perspective, but more concerned about actual damage to the graft union as has been documented when using toilet bowl wax for example.

[Blake]

Now that’s resourceful right there.

[parkwaydrive]

I use parafilm tape and doc farwells for the small stuff and linerless splicing tape, caulk to seal the top gap, and coat with doc farwells for cleft grafting. Used to be able to buy doc farwells by the quart but now it seems to only come by the gallon.