3/4" wide plumber's tape for bench grafts then sealed with wax. Rubber grafting strips for in the nursery. Parafilm works for sealing grafts but IMO does not have the strength to bind grafts.

So,,,

3/4" Tefflon tape for bench grafts? Do you just seal the end of the scion or aso cover the graft with wax?

Yes on the teflon tape. I dip the entire graft in the melted wax.

Mike. Until now I have been using electrical tape. The bark damage with removal prompted me to start turning the sticky side out. This method works well with less bark damage when removed. Like you I'm starting to use parafilm tape and parafilm m. Good luck, Bill

Yes, you could also put a layer of parafilm under first. I don't and have no problem taking off in the spring when removing, on the very end, right over the bark it is important not to pull straight out, pull sideways back and force.

Mike,

This is what I use http://www.amazon.com/Parafilm-Nursery-Grafting-Tapes-Rolls/dp/B00G3Q5O7O/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1424595958&sr=8-12&keywords=parafilm

Konrad. You and I had the same idea about putting a layer of parafilm on first and then the tape. I'm pretty sure the wrap will come off without damage using this method.

Mike. I'm testing a few grafts using only the 1/2" parafilm tape only. It appears to to be ok when pulling tight is not required.

I saw a youtube video the other day and the guy was using forestry flagging tape. I have tons of that stuff. That might work really well because it has some stretch to it but can be tied strong.

I think the parafilm will work on bench grafts that are neatly cut and matched in diameter. I might try the medical tape and seal it by a dip in wax. I need to find the right wax that can be put in a crockpot. Trowbridge's is messy disgusting goop only fit for field grafts. I wish they made parafilm tape that was reinforced with woven organic fiber.

I use cleft grafting. Requires less proficiency with a knife than chip grafting or whip and tongue grafting. I use parafilm tape on the whole graft, then a white nursery tie tape that is stronger to make sure there is contact between the cambium layers.

I like poly grafting tape (4 mil, 1/2 inch wide, clear). It's available at our local farm supply store for a couple of dollars a roll. It's non-adhesive - you finish it off by working the end under the last loop and pulling tight. You can get the grafts nice and tight and see through it to check how everything went together. It does need to be cut off eventually or the graft will girdle, however. I also usually wrap the scion with parafilm, or better, buddy tape to keep it from drying out. I personally do not think either parafilm or buddy tape on their own are strong enough to get a secure graft union (although may be OK for budding).

I use parafilm. Folded in half. Then folded again lengthwise. So it is basically 4 layers thick. You can pull it very tight without breaking it. I use that to hold the graft together. Then I use a single layer to cover the remainder of the scion where the buds are. I get about 100% success on stone fruits doing this and using whip and tongue grafts

I do apple,pear and plum bare root bench grafting with the whip and tongue method, and side grafts on large established trees. On all of these I find the parafilm not strong enough so I use the grafting rubbers which are cheap. I cover the entire scion, graft,rubber and all with the parafilm to eliminate the need for wax. Parafilm's best use is to keep the scion from drying out, and moisture from getting into the graft union. Both the rubber and parafilm are designed to break down, the parafilm is the first to go and then the rubber strips. I have not had any girdling and if I am worried about it just light touch will help the rubber bands to fall off.

Parafilm M, cut into strips ~3/4"x6". Wrap graft union and entirety of scion.

Then, overwrap graft union with a wide rubber band. As others have indicated, Parafilm alone does not have the strength necessary - but is great for keeping moisture in.

Friend who operated a major fruit tree nursery for decades used only masking tape on W&T grafts done on lined-out rootstock in the nursery rows. Yep; just masking tape.

For slow-callusing stuff, like nut trees, I'll often cover the graft union with aluminum foil, just to slow degradation of the rubber band. Usually not necessary for fast-callusing stuff like pomefruits.

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas. will masking tape break down without being cut out?

yes.

Formerly I used masking tape and duct tape among other things. It's terrible to try to get it off the tree. Grafting tape is cheap and works so much better. $2 a roll seems about right. Here is another link for 1/2" on eBay http://m.ebay.com/itm/251360108527

I took my wife's glad cling wrap and cut the width of roll I wanted off of the end. I used it to try and graft my peach tree. The grafts failed but I think it was more to do with the cool temperature. Has any one else used cling wrap?

Clark,

Thanks, I ordered two big packages of parafilm.

I also have some soy based wax with a low melting point. I am going to try the silk or cloth medical tape then dip the whole thing in wax.

Derby,

I know cling wrap would work, you just have to remove it after the graft takes. That no big deal but a pain if you do a bunch of grafts. for field grafts, you want to wait tell the tree is breaking dormancy.

I am new to grafting....at what point can you safely take the wrap off and at what point do you need to take it off so graft is not compromised? thanks!

I think it depends upon the kind of grafts you are doing, the species you are grafting, the time of year and the degree to which you can watch your plants and attend to them. Also, how sturdy or fragile the scion material is.

For citrus, mangoes, camellias and hollies, and for more fragile plant materials, I like the pre-perforated Buddy Tape. A little goes a long way. It's funny because I preferred Parafilm for awhile, but after many grafts, I have a stronger preference for Buddy Tape.

If I'm concerned about a really tight union, I'll add a rubber band around it -- for example for a veneer or a cleft graft. But I like that the new growth will push right through the Buddy take and I don't have to remove it. Just have to remove the rubber band.