Homemade Prunning Sealer?

[injunjoe]

I have a huge Grapefruit tree that is at the point of prune it or lose it. It is about 30 feet tall. A nice Ruby Red, it tastes like someone cut it open and put sugar in it then closed it back up. A cup of juice form each of them!

But I need to paint on something or the bugs will move in on the cuts.

Anyone know of a concoction I can make for this?

Thank you.

Joe

 

[Greensage45]

This is what P. Allen Smith says:

As far as applying pruning paints or sealers to wounds, current research seems to indicate that it really doesn't do that much good. In fact, if it's applied in the wrong way it can damage the tree by prolonging the tree's susceptibility to disease. It's better just to let nature take its course.

One person an a forum uses Elmer's Glue because when it has fulfilled its need it can be just washed off with water.

Another person uses petroleum jelly on conifers.

Finally I found this comment:

My local garden center stopped carrying it because it trapped moisture close to the tree and they got diseased and moldy. Is this a problem with homemade stuff?

Ron :bouquet

 

[injunjoe]

Thanks Ron.
So a good ole' fashion proper cut is all I need?

Joe

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi Joe

Apparantly you can use 2 parts lanolin mixed with 1 part raw linseed oil.


http://www.diyinfo.org/wiki/How_To_Use_Linseed_Oil

You have to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

:rose Hattie :rose

 

[injunjoe]

Thank you for that link, very informative!

As I read it the oil is to keep the tree from losing sap.
My Grapefruit don't leak as such.

But the info is very interesting!
I knew linseed oil was useful I did not know just how much so!

Joe

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi again! I've just found this as well - on shellac ! Yet again scroll right to the end! I suddenly remembered my grandfather using somrthing that was like shellac.

http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4576


:rose Hattie :rose

 

[injunjoe]

Thank you again!

That is cool, I am using a Ridgid Sawsall to prune the tree with!

How ironic is that?

Joe