How to properly treat the cut surface of a potted tree stump

Gardeners often cut back the trunk when dealing with collected wild stumps or grafting. The principles for treating the saw cut are simply to retain moisture, prevent bleeding, block light, promote healing, form a callus as quickly as possible, and not affect budding. Common moisture-retaining sealing materials include the following:

1. Self-adhesive aluminum foil: Remember to buy the thin kind; the thickened type tends to make buds grow off to one side. Simple and practical, 100% light-blocking, moisture-retaining. After two months, peel off the foil, and the wood at the cut is as fresh as when it was first cut; the healing tissue forms a ring, with another ring of buds above it.

2. White latex: White latex works well, is convenient and practical. It comes in thin and thick consistencies [thick is better] and is somewhat related to the brand. Generally, applying another coat after it dries gives excellent results.

3. Wax coating: The effect is very good in winter and spring, but it easily melts under strong sun in summer.

4: Plant wound healing agent: The effect is good and it is convenient to use, but in the rainy season the cut surface easily blisters, and its waterproof effect is slightly poor.

5: Black paint: It has a strong odor; the area around the cut forms a callus, and the budding effect is average.

6: Mud: Convenient and practical, low cost. Applied together with a fungicide, the effect is better. The drawback is that it is poor at waterproofing.

7: Erythromycin ointment: The sterilizing effect is good, but its light-blocking and waterproof performance is poor.

8. Grafting film: Wrapping with grafting film gives ideal moisture retention and light blocking, but the cut surface of the tree stump easily becomes moldy.