Tanuki Preperation

zen

I have a peice of wood that I found on "A" mountain or "Hayden's Butte" in Tempe AZ while I was there,...I am thinking of using the two cotoneasters that Brian sent me to make a Phoenix graft from Phoenix deadwood,...My question is this ,I am sure that I do need to prep the deadwood to protect it from rotting away and ending up with two trees involved in some strange dance,...what do I do to the tanuki wood?,...Please don't say Lime-Sulphur(see other post on not having chems) I have read someplace that some folks use citric acid(don't sound cheap either) How about bleach? ERRRRRR BEING BROKE BITES !

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rockm

Lime sulphur really has no substitute as a wood bleaching agent and preservative. Actual chlorine bleaches because it is an agressive chemical that works the surface of whatever it's applied to. In other words, it will eventually destroy whatever you're using it on. Additionally, if provides only short term protection. It dissipates into a gas in a few hours.

Lime sulphur does the opposite. It stays put for alot longer, providing protection from decay for a while. It is not a bleach per se, but kills fungus, bacteria and algae.

It's not expensive. A four ounce bottle will last a few years, or a decade. I still have a bottle I bought in 1998. It's half full...You can order it online--for abotu $5 from a number of sources. You might find your struggle less intense if you got in touch with local club members. I'd bet they'd give you some for nothing.

For what it's worth, nurseries used to carry it as "Orthonex" dormant spray. It's no longer sold though. Stay away from the combination lime sulphur oil spray that's around now, though. That's just a mess. The oil negates the lime sulphur in this kind of application...

RedPine

Zen,


Alright I'll make you a deal.I have a tanuki juniper going,all I really need to do is some light carving some minwaxing and lime sulphering before I attach the plant material.I am planning on ordering some of the lime sulpher at the end of the month,when it comes I will pour like half the bottle into a container and send it to you.Cool?

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Dale Cochoy

Rockm,
Are you saying just this brand discontinued , and now mixes with dormant oil ( I've seen this on shelves) or has there been some upheaval that's caused ALL LS concentrate to be no longer sold?
Zen, I have a QUART of , just rechecked name, "Bonide lime sulfur spray concentrate" , $11.99 at a nursery. ( Just like what dealers buy and put in little 20z and 4 oz bottles to sell for half that price!)

It's enough to pass on to your grandkids. or split with several bonsai buddies.
Dale

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Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

rockm

Dale,

I heard a couple of years ago on IBC, I think, that Orthenex was discontinued by Ortho.I had a big old bottle of the stuff that was more that half full when the container disintegrated on me from sun exposure. Had to get rid of the container, but poured the stuff into a glass bottle which has worked out better.

The oil-based crud hasn't "replaced" it, but it's now the only thing out commonly available out there in bulk from what I can tell--so it has "replaced" it I guess. I bought a small container of that stuff a while back. Looks a little like lighweight motor oil and is unusable for bonsai purposes.

Vonsgardens

Limes sulphur (Calcium Polysulfide 29, manufactured by Bonide is about $11.50 per QUART. This should be enough to keep you Tanukiing for a lifetime. Carve before you treat, then Minwax after it drys. John