Vaseline as cutpaste?

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

I ran out of cutpaste while I needed it recently.
I used vaseline to cover the cutsides. All I had at the moment.

Is there any advantage of using “bonsai cutpaste” to using vaseline for example?
I mean, it’s about the sealing.

 

[Wood]

I'd imagine vaseline would break down/smudge relatively quickly, which would let the wound dry out. Most cut pastes have additional fungicides to prevent infection. Some (Kirikuchi mostly) have extra hormones to encourage wound/cut healing

I know several people that have used wood glue or elmers in a pinch because it's more durable

 

[KateM]

I ran out of cutpaste while I needed it recently.
I used vaseline to cover the cutsides. All I had at the moment.

Is there any advantage of using “bonsai cutpaste” to using vaseline for example?
I mean, it’s about the sealing.

Just from my limited experience. Vaseline seems to do a good job sealing the cuts. What I don't like, it melts when it gets hot and stains the bark.

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Thanks! The melting is what I recently saw as well.
So it seems like a good short time solution.
Back to ordering cutpaste

 

[Shogun610]

Elmer’s glue or silly puddy if you have kids

 

[rockm]

Plumbers putty. Elmers glue are better substitutes. Vaseline is messy and doesn’t stay put very well. In the past when people used it they would cover it with duct tape to keep the smudge factor to a minimum.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I use vaseline in herbaceous plants, mixed with some fine grain sea salt it keeps fungi at bay and it's very water repellent.
Yes, it stains. I use some vegetable oil on the whole trunk to hide that.

Lanolin paste also works pretty well and has a higher melting point. It stays put better but it's a tad bit more expensive. However, since nobody uses wool anymore, it has dropped in price significantly compared to ten years ago.

Lanolin and vaseline both can act as solvents for hormones, so making your own mixture only requires heating it to 65°C and stirring while adding the hormones.

 

[stubmle]

I agree with Wires- I've had good luck using it on succulents and herbaceous plants. Helps prevent the stem from drying out and wilting or dying back. Woody plants would do better with regular cut paste, I think.

Last year I cut back a ti plant (cordyline fruticosa) to propagate. The remaing stem started to push buds, but it dried out before they could develop and help heal the cut. Ended up dying to the roots.
Did the same again this year, but applied vaseline. Seems to be working this time- buds are pushing and the stem is not drying out. I am hopeful it will be able to heal once they start growing properly.
I have also used it on poinsettias to similar effect. It seems to be most useful on plants that dry out before they can compartmentalize damage.

 

[leatherback]

vaseline has prorperties that are similar to larch and pine pitch and works wonders on coniferous species.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Seen Nigel (you tube) uses rubber cement but I have only used cut paste myself so can’t comment on how effective it is.

 

[minkes]

I used vaseline with few trees I cutted in the forest and left them for later collection. It worked quite well and is much cheapier then bonsai cut paste.

 

[Paradox]

I have used vasoline mixed into kids modeling clay. Helps to keep it from running and provides a thicker covering to the wound and you can match color to the bark better.
Ive used brown for pines and juniper and grey and olive green for deciduous trees
I prefer regular cut paste if I have it though as some of those have anti fungal ingredients to help prevent disease

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Thanks for the reactions!

My youngest is in to Play Doh. I have to scrape it of the floor everyday! Can even that be used?

 

[Paradox]

Thanks for the reactions!

My youngest is in to Play Doh. I have to scrape it of the floor everyday! Can even that be used?

Id be concerned it would dry out too fast and crumble before the wound starts to heal as it gets brittle when dried out

 

[stubmle]

Worth mentioning also: Nick Lenz stated in his book that vaseline applications should be covered with tin a layer of tin foil to hwlp keep the callous flat. I would imagine it also helps prevent it from rubbing off or making a mess.

He also made an interesting remark about deciduous species. From the second edition of Bonsai from the Wild:
"On deciduous trees, especially maples and azaleas, Preparation H or a generic facsimile, the grease you rub on your butt or cracked hands, is preferred. One or more of the unknown ingredients greatly accelerates healing, especially when a thin smear is covered by with duct sealant*. Preparation H seems to offer no enhancement over petroleum jelly on conifers and is more costly. Beware of new formulations of hemorrhoidal ointments, such as lotions, mists, creams, and essences - only the greasy stuff works. Be sure to smooth all pruning scars with a sharp knife. The callous will cover with greater ease and flatness."
*Nick preferred this to more-expensive bonsai cut paste or putty.

Anyone tried this?