Grafting tape.

[Poink88]

I recently bought this and looks good. Anyone tried this and can offer a review?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360865802153?

I have been using this (Parafilm) tape and working fine though I have a few problems thus trying a new product. Not sure which is better.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251358759105?

Any input appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Poink88]

Nada? Anyone?

====================

The good and the bad on Parafilm.

It is very stretchable and have a wax like feel to it.
- Good since buds can grow out of it (punch through) w/o any intervention if needed.
- Bad because it doesn't have much pull on it and breaks before you can put enough tension.

The new tape.
Clear, very thin and stretchable but much stronger. Almost like saran wrap in a tape form.
- The possible good. It is stronger and can be tensioned more than parafilm. Buds within will receive more light than parafilm.

- The possible bad. Too strong that the buds might not be able to punch through and may require an intervention for it to be free. Too strong that it may choke the branch if applied incorrectly.

Not sure how it is claimed as biodegradable...if it is, then maybe it will disintegrate eventually and free up the buds? hmmmm I hope so, then it will be a win-win product.

 

[lordy]

Nada? Anyone?

====================


The new tape.

Not sure how it is claimed as biodegradable...if it is, then maybe it will disintegrate eventually and free up the buds? hmmmm I hope so, then it will be a win-win product.

FYI, I dont believe "biodegradable" means it decomposes to an organic by-product. It just means that it becomes a bazillion tiny bits of plastic. Compostable might be what I think of when I hear biodegradable. Dog poop bags that are made up of cornstarch are better than plastic that simply breaks into smaller pieces of plastic. No one talks about what all those bits of plastic do to the environment.

 

[Poink88]

FYI, I dont believe "biodegradable" means it decomposes to an organic by-product.

I didn't say that. I said "maybe it will disintegrate eventually" which is in line with the later part of your post.

 

[GrimLore]

What application are you using it for? The Parafilm may require a slower application so it does not rip and I agree. I "might" use 50 feet of it in any given year though so I do not find that to be a problem. Just curious

Grimmy

 

[Poink88]

What application are you using it for? The Parafilm may require a slower application so it does not rip and I agree. I "might" use 50 feet of it in any given year though so I do not find that to be a problem. Just curious

Grimmy

Err...grafting?

 

[lordy]

I didn't say that. I said "maybe it will disintegrate eventually" which is in line with the later part of your post.

I realize that. I never said you did. I thought you might be interested to know.

 

[GrimLore]

Err...grafting?

I only use that grafting when I "feel" I need to secure it. Most times I do not have to is all. Different methods I guess. Almost 100 percent of my grafts are drill and fit and require a minimal amount of "Elmers" which I let wash away. I guess you are doing far different and that makes sense. As I said just curious.

Grimmy

 

[Poink88]

I only use that grafting when I "feel" I need to secure it. Most times I do not have to is all. Different methods I guess. Almost 100 percent of my grafts are drill and fit and require a minimal amount of "Elmers" which I let wash away. I guess you are doing far different and that makes sense. As I said just curious.

Grimmy

Different from you yes...but in general schema of things...you are the one doing something different since most do it the way I do.

Not that your style is bad...I actually intend to try it eventually.

 

[GrimLore]

Different from you yes...but in general schema of things...you are the one doing something different since most do it the way I do.

Not that your style is bad...I actually intend to try it eventually.

Step out of the box... bigger better faster more... Doing so allows you to trash several years of work and many more prior years and go to the next step. Works for me Out of over 170 plants against all odds I tossed almost all, moved 12 or so and donated 7 1k plus plants to start new

Grimmy

 

[crust]

My understanding is Parafilm has unique breathability characteristics that reduces rot and allows one to cocoon buds.

 

[edprocoat]

Gee Dario, you don't think it will "smother" the trunk do you ?

ed

 

[Poink88]

Gee Dario, you don't think it will "smother" the trunk do you ?

ed

No because I only apply 1" to 1.5" section.

If I am bud grafting, it might smother the bud...if I do not poke a tiny hole near it (which I do , even with parafilm.)

 

[Darth Tanuki]

No because I only apply 1" to 1.5" section.

If I am bud grafting, it might smother the bud...if I do not poke a tiny hole near it (which I do , even with parafilm.)

The parafilm works well to cover the scion and is designed for this purpose, no hole need be poked. I still use a nonstretch plastic tie to secure the scion base to the graft site. I use the parafilm to prevent moisture loss; alternatively a clear bag can be used with a bit of moistened sphagnum inside. (Of course, a pebble or two of akadama in the bag insures the graft will take ).

 

[Poink88]

Because of the lack of pull on parafilm...I am ending with electrical tape to supplement it...which is really tricky and CAN lead to failure (chocking).

I guess I'll need to continue experimenting with bot.

BTW, most of juni grafts were done this way and most of them seem to be doing fine. They are out of their baggies and extending out. I will probably remove the electrical tape this weekend but leave the parafilm on.

Thanks!

 

[Poink88]

I since used this grafting tape and I am disappointed. It is stronger but like cling wrap or saran wrap, it loves to cling to itself than anything else. Then at the end, it won't cling strong enough to itself!

Back to using parafilm...so much better.

Another fail...charge to experience.

 

[Poink88]

Applied 8 boxwood grafts yesterday and gave this another chance. Applied much better now, the problem was me and of course it is easier to blame the product.

Hope the new ones take. The big advantage of parafilm is that it is breathable...this is not. Will report results in a couple of months, good or bad.

 

[misfit11]

Parafilm is what everyone uses over here (i.e. Kathy Shaner, Jim Gremel, etc.). We not only wrap the graft site with it, but the entire foliar portion of the scion is wrapped in it to maintain moisture. They used to use bags but apparently parafilm is far superior.

BTW, I did some grafting on my Blue Atlas Cedar back in February in a workshop with Kathy. She uses raffia to bind the graft. It looks like 2 maybe 3 of the 8 or so grafts are successful. Conversely, I grafted some shimpaku on a Procumbens at my monthly intermediate workshop. My teacher uses wire to bind the graft (which is what Jim Gremel uses and he is a grafting master). It looks as if all but maybe one of the grafts is going to take. Granted I am comparing Cedar to Juniper here and Cedar is undoubtedly more difficult, but I just feel like it is a better method.

Cory

 

[Poink88]

Cory,

I (now) also wrap the entire scion with this (and with parafilm). Much easier and more secure. For my peace of mind, I also apply a tiewire at the graft, at the same time, it is used to secure the end of the tape in place which I always terminate at same area.

Can't recall how many grafts I applied on one of my Holywood Juniper (11 maybe?) and all are still looking okay after almost 2 months.

On another, I applied 8 (?) and possibly 3 are goners already...they got cooked last month in their baggies when we suddenly had high 80s.

I am still experimenting and should settle on a style and material to wrap by next year.

 

[buddhamonk]

also depends on what kind of grafting you do. I do grafting with a little clear bag and moss inside so I find this tape better because it doesn't break when you make a knot with it

http://www.amazon.com/A-M-Leonard-P...&qid=1398710333&sr=8-3&keywords=grafting+tape

If you use the method where you wrap the whole scion, then a biodegradable tape is better