Elmer's waterproof wood glue is very popular here. Seals perfectly.

This stuff: http://elmers.com/product/detail/e7300

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Yup, that's correct. You can find many testimonials from people who use it right here on the site.

Daniel,

The Elmer's Waterproof Wood Glue works very well and little to no shrinkage of cambium layer at pruning site. It safe guards against fungal issues in the respect that it seals the area from moisture getting in.

I have done a lot without and as long as the angle is at 45 degrees and so that all water is shed off the cut surface.

Many experienced growers are using Super Glue on the ends of scions after grafting to stop the scion from losing excess moisture. They are having marvelous results w this method.

Rick

Someone on the forum posted that they use honey. They said it acts as an antibacterial and doesn't leave a dark spot. I haven't pruned any of mine yet so have no experience. Has anyone heard about or tried that?

Tyler

Tyler,

Yes, honey is a natural antibacterial (for humans, too). I have seen some apply it but it won't seal off a cut plant surface. However, it will attract ants and other nasties.

I prefer dusting cut surfaces with sulfur, turmeric / curcumin, nutmeg, or cinnamon as natural fungicides ... in that order (most effective to least, still all effective on plants). No need for these when sealing off with waterproof wood glue.

I've used honey in water as an effective root drench.

Maria Elena

Thank you so much for Martin's guide! I know I have seen that before on here but wasn't ready for drastic pruning at the time. Will definitely save that for future reference. In the past, I just cut branches off at an angle with no sealing and arbitrary areas where I thought I should shape the plant. (with very mixed results) Having such experience and guidance is great from all of you experts.

I will probably try a couple of different sealers. Have not tried the Elmer's wood glue yet, but will buy some to use on some of my cuts. I also may try a hand at grafting since I am chopping the tops off of some of my more desired flowers. Just trying to formalize my knowledge and plans for next season now. Going to be an interesting spring!

Thanks everyone, and if anybody else has more suggestions, please keep posting.

I've seen on Russian adenium forum people use melted wax from candle. Clear seal, looks very clean. I haven't prune any of my plants yet but I will definitely try it in spring. :)

We apply turmeric powder or copper fungicide

Elena, yes, paraffin wax is also used to seal off pruning with much success and well known among growers of roses.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-paraffin-wax-trimming-plants-28402.html

The problem with heated wax is that it can run into nearby nodes, deactivating their potential to branch. Glue can seal them off just the same. One must be very careful when utilizing these methods.

I've taken a few pictures to show the effects of pruning without sealing off and to demonstrate the effectiveness of using the above technique. Perhaps Rick or another forum member can provide a picture showing the clean finish sealing with glue provides.

This is a 7 month old seedling pruned at 5 months of age. It began forming 4 branches immediately as a direct result of pruning and produced 3 additional lower natural branches. Total: 7 branches.

....

These show the atrophy of the unsealed pruning cut on some of my plants. It is my understanding that these will eventually smoothe out and blend in as the tree grows and matures. These developed 3 to 7 branches as a result of pruning.

These were freshly watered at the time the pictures were taken. Any black appearing on the pruned surfaces are just dampness. The surfaces are hard & firm, not soft. Now that I am seeing the effects of water on those surfaces, I will definitely seal them all off. These are outdoors permanently and I don't want to risk it.

Here is a picture of the above plant 2 hours later and dry. The pruned areas are facing the back of the tree and are not at all visible from the front.

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This picture shows what happens when the cut is made where internodes are not tightly stacked. One long branch dominates and you're basically at square one, needing to prune again. Notice how the stacked nodes were low on the original branch. I should've cut there.

If you noticed a caudex only on the first plant pictured, you have a keen eye. All, except for the first seedling pictured, are from rooted branch cuttings.

Maria Elena