Chicken bald back

[Chucky Mama]

I have a friend who wants to be able to 'dilute' some wax in order to 'paint' it onto the bases of his fruit trees to protect them from insects (I think). Does anyone have any idea how he can do this? He is an elderly gentleman and has a big allotment and also keeps his own bees so he will probably be using his own beeswax.

[Bramble]

Absolutely no idea really, but wonder if all he needs to do is warm the wax so its runny enough to "paint" with?

[Chucky Mama]

Not sure, he is a very resourceful man but he is stumped with this which is very unusual. I suggested just using vaseline but he said that it gets washed off too easily.

[sjp]

I know when using wax to seal a tree graft moulten wax is used but it needs to be a low melting point wax

for insect barrier grease is the norm, as wax dries I can't see that it'll work as a barrier

[Chucky Mama]

hmm, yes I see your point about the wax. So he really needs a grease rather than a wax then.

[sjp]

hmm, yes I see your point about the wax. So he really needs a grease rather than a wax then.

yes should be able to get it from any good garden center as I wouldn't think axle grease would do the trees any good

[Charlottechicken]

I use Vaseline. It works really well and as it is not water soluble it doesn't wash off I have an old jar of it from a pound shop many years ago and it is now a light amber translucent colour. I backed into my pear tree the other day whilst gardening and couldn't understand why I had a big grease patch on my behind and the tree was greased in Spring.

 

The only problem I've had with it is when I had fruit trees in the chicken run, they used to eat all the Vaseline

[Christian]

You can get grease strips from garden centres for fruit trees. Quite cheap. They stop female moths climbing the trunk to lay eggs. Is that the sort of thing he needs?

[Olly]

I have used the grease bands but they're really awkward to tie on - great tip about the Vaseline, CC!

 

If you use beeswax to make polish etc then you mix it with turpentine - I think some sort of spirit would be needed to make it 'diluted'.

[Chucky Mama]

Thanks all. I have just spoken to him and passed your thoughts on. He was hoping that he could dilute the wax and that it would stay tacky but I have told him that we think it will dry smooth. I have suggested the grease strips or vaseline.

[Sue]

This is a traditional mix for bare wood

 

1lb beeswax

1 pint turpentine

1 pint boiled linseed oil

 

You must be VERY CAREFUL making this as it needs to be GENTLY warmed until the ingredients combine. Obvioulsy they make an inflammable mix when liquid and hot, so use a doulbe boiler, and maybe make it outside somewhere. Having said that it has been made in my family many times, and never and accident, but TAKE IT SLOWLY

 

all the best

Sue

Dark Brown Eggs

[Chucky Mama]

Sorry, but bless him he is not into buying things when he can make them Any ideas on how he can make his own grease. I have advised him that vaseline would be good but he want to try and produce his own version of the things that you would buy. (I am not really expecting any DIY grease recipes, but promised him I'd ask )