AusBonsai

Hey everyone,

Just a quick question whether you should apply cut paste or an alternative to black pines ?

Thanks Ross

Here is a tree I bought, the cut paste on it looks like play-doh,
Is that possible ?


I do have this stuff that I got off eBay but not sure if its ok or not ?


Any advice would be great

Well an expert may offer additional info but when you cut pines they can bleed. I do believe you can have trouble trying to get paste to stick because of the sap. I do know one guy who use toilet paper like you use when you cut yourself shaving.

Bougy Fan wrote:Well an expert may offer additional info but when you cut pines they can bleed. I do believe you can have trouble trying to get paste to stick because of the sap. I do know one guy who use toilet paper like you use when you cut yourself shaving.

Thanks yeah I already done that as i remembered reading it somewhere but I wasn't sure if some sort of cut paste was still necessary or not ?

I am not a pine expert - don't have one But my experience is that I just use it on the edges of the wound - I do find it can help promote healing.

On Pines I only use the Putty, not the cut paste.

Warm it up in your hands first by rubbing it between your hands then apply.

Grant

Grant Bowie wrote:On Pines I only use the Putty, not the cut paste.

Warm it up in your hands first by rubbing it between your hands then apply.

Grant

Thanks please excuse my ignorance
What putty is that exactly ?
What could I put on the tree in the meantime till I get my hands on some ?

Cheers Ross

Hi Ross putty is just a different form of cut paste. You can put play doh in the mean time. If you don't have any there are plenty of recipes online to make your own-flour and water

stocaz wrote:

Grant Bowie wrote:On Pines I only use the Putty, not the cut paste.

Warm it up in your hands first by rubbing it between your hands then apply.

Grant

Thanks please excuse my ignorance
What putty is that exactly ?
What could I put on the tree in the meantime till I get my hands on some ?

Cheers Ross

There are two different types of cut paste, the putty, which comes in a little jar like container. And the paste, which you have in the picture above

Putty:



Paste:


Am not experienced enough to tell you the difference between the two though, only that the tube one is easier to use... which is why I use that one

On Pines, Cut branch and leave an inch or 2 long. No paste or putty.
let it dry out and then after 6 - 12 months, cut back and then I use the tube of putty.

Ken

Great !!! All clear now thanks guys

If you dont have any you can also use a lump of clay from the garden

Hi Stocaz,
I know you said 'all clear now', but I would love to give you my .The whole point of sealing the wound is to keep the wound moist, which encourages faster healing time.
Play-doh and plastercine are made from different ingredients. I forget what the diff. was, but it was stressed plastercine is the better of the two for wound healing. You will need to add some vegetable oil to the plastercine though, so it remains moist, and the contact to the wound stays moist. I drop the amount of plastercine I need into some vegetable oil, and mash it so the oil gets well and truly into the plastercine. I also add some vege oil to the wound directly, then apply the plastercine.
I've been using this process for years now, and it definately works. And its affordable for me. I think it was in 'Bonsai basics' by Colin Lewis that I read this in. I would say it covers everything you need to know about maintaining healthy bonsais. It also includes seasonal feeding time. And it's priced right...i think 14-15 dollars). But nothing beats hands on experience, listening/reading, and asking the guys and gals on ausbonsai, who have decades of experience.
Anyway, like I said, just adding my . And goodluck!!
Woody