I am a cut-paste believer, so I have been sitting on the sidelines, LOL. Just a couple of comments:
The putty cut paste that is frequently used for bonsai is called "Cut Paster" (
made by a company called "Hanagen") and comes in two versions - white cap (grey product) and green cap (brown product). The white cap is intended for general use and for deciduous, and does not include growth hormone. The green cap is intended for use with conifers, and includes growth hormone. On the product web site, I could find no specific mentions as to the benefit of growth hormones in one product versus the absence in the other. In general the product is designed:
(1) To protect from rain and rot.
(2) Prevents cracks and burns (cracks in bark / bark die-back due to wound drying out before it heals)
(3) Lets trunks heal properly.
(4) Does not discolor the tree bark.
(5) Grey and brown colors will not stand out on tree.
(This is not my commentary, rather, what is on their web site) It is also important to note that there is no specific mention of what growth hormone(s) are used, or their strength. Additionally, there is no mention of whether "rot prevention" is simply a physical barrier (blocking water) or whether there is some anti-fungal product in the paste.
Aside from that, I will just say that in this thread we appear to be comparing apples to oranges. Some people are using the Hanagen product, while others are using some other pruning product, and
@0soyoung is using plumber's putty. I don't think you can compare plumber's putty to pruning paste, personally, nor should we be looking at Elmer's glue, etc, since the products perform differently. People should all agree to use one product (I think it is reasonable to start with Hanagen) and share results from the one product used in a variety of conditions and on a variety of trees.
And finally... if you go to their web site you will see they have the paste... and a liquid product that I would normally refer to as a "sealant". On the site, they suggest using BOTH products at the same time on large cuts - ie the paste first to fill in the pruning wound, and then apply the liquid sealant over the paste - covering the margins of the wound "as rainwater might seep into it otherwise". There are a couple of photos showing this application. Interesting. I have no experience trying this "double" approach.