I’ve got some sun-scald on the graft unions of some apple trees. I keep seeing fig growers promoting IV Organic 3-in-1 Plant Guard.
It’s got some mix of oils and natural pest deterrents in it. Anyone use this? Is it legit? Should I just use a cheap water based latex paint? If so what’s your preferred mixtures and ratios?
I really liked it the times I used it but personally I found it to be too expensive to continue. But it worked for me. The trees I painted with it in late fall had little to no vole and rabbit damage over the winter compared to trees that didn’t have it. It definitely has a strong odor, not sure if that’s what helping with the critters or if it’s the color. It also lasts on the tree a surprisingly long time. I don’t have much of an issue with sun scald but it’s white so I assume it works well for that too.
Inside the can it comes with a vile of strong smelling oil, the powder, and then you just mix all of it together with water.
I bet you could make something similar using surround kaolin clay, some vegetable oil, and maybe some kind of herb essential oil that has a strong smell.