Good question with many possible answers. Using a patch over cuts is
largely aesthetic. It used to be thought that patches keep diseases out and
sap in. Actually, unless the patch is perfectly sealed and is waterproof,
it can encourage bateriological infestation by providing a dark cavity in
which a disease can incubate. For this reason, most tree professionals
forego the use of any covering over the wound.
Yet, many bonsai growers still use cut paste over large cuts. I believe
they do it because a small tree does look better with it.
My personal preference is an acrylic filler, mainly because it is waterproof
and can be purchased in many colors to match the bark. Besides, the cost is
a couple of bucks vs. $10 for a small jar of imported cut paste.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rastislav Kralovic"
To:
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 11:28 AM
Subject: [IBC] once more sealants
I'm really puzzled about using sealants to cover cuts. The information I
managed to gather seems to be pretty inconsistent; basically, there are
people who
1) say that basically no sealant is needed as trees heal best without any
interference
2) say that (almost) each large cut should be sealed with the original
Japanese cut paste
3) give a number of recipes for a home made cut paste (Elmer's glue,
modeling
clay, plumber's putty, bee wax, gardener's wax, etc...) which works the
same
way as the Japanese original
I'm a beginner to bonsai and I have to decide what to use (if anything).
Is
there any general study/resource about it or is it a trial-error for each
particular location? I guess the healing process (and hence the sealant
application) depends on the species and climate?
Thank you,
Rastislav Kralovic
Bratislava,
Slovakia
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