Two types of Parafilm ?

[CTMIAMI]

I have two different rolls of Parafim. One is the two inch wide with paper backing and another is a one inch wide roll with no backing. I have noticed that with the one inch wide I can apply a bit more pressure when doing small inch to two inch wedges in which I'm only using Parafilm to secure and  cover the whole graft.
I decided to take my calipers out to check and they are in fact different thickness. The one with the paper backing is .004 of an inch thick and the other is .005 thick, 25% more thickness. I wonder if the formula is the same? Any one knows anything about this?
I think I have room for both. The thinner one to cover the top of grafts to keep them from dehydrating. The thicker one to used as grafting tape for particular situations and to cover  larger buds that I want to leave out after wrapping with the plastic tape.

[Steve in Los Osos]

I had a discussion with ScottR about this before. As a retired chemist, I was only familiar with the one on the right in your picture (with the paper backing). It seems to me that it stretches much more and forms better around an irregular object.  It's certainly not meant to be a substitute for something like a rubber band or other method of holding a graft until healed, but it is great for sealing scions to prevent them from drying out. It's the only kind I use.

I think, but will not swear to it, that the standard laboratory parafilm is cheaper than the species marketed as grafting tape. I have a 2" wide, 250 ft. roll that will last me many, many years. I think I paid around $25 for it.

[TREESNMORE]

I use 4 different types, parafilm  M , parafilm grafting tape 1 inch and 1/2 inch  and buddy tape. Parafilm M was given to me .I don't like it it does not stretch as good as the Buddy tape it and the buddy tape breathes. I use the parafilm to wrap the budwood

[fyliu]

Parafilm gets harder and less stretchy and more brittle as they age.

The 1/2 inch worked well for me but I bought it in a fresh state and keep it in a sealed plastic bag when not in use. The "M" tape works well too but I'm too lazy to cut it into strips, especially now that I have buddy tape too.

[adiel]

They were developed for different uses.

Parafilm M is a laboratory tape (not originally designed for horticulture) and is used for sealing labware.  This is the one with the backing.

Parafilm Nursery Grafting tape was developed to serve the horticulture industry.  This is the one without the backing.

[pj1881 (Patrick)]

I am totally sold on Buddy Tape.  The texture of it alone is awesome, almost like wax mesh.. It doesn't seem to dry out and works perfectly.  I was skeptical of the high price tag, but the success rate pays for it immediately.  I have three rolls in my toolbox!

[adiel]

Patrick, I would like to try Buddy Tape one day, but the price is so steep.      So far, years using Parafilm Grafting Tape and zero issues with it.

[HMHausman]

I am totally sold on Buddy Tape. The texture of it alone is awesome, almost like wax mesh.. It doesn't seem to dry out and works perfectly.  I was skeptical of the high price tag, but the success rate pays for it immediately.  I have three rolls in my toolbox!

Me too. Seems I am getting much better success than I have had previously in my grafting endeavors.

[pj1881 (Patrick)]

Patrick, I would like to try Buddy Tape one day, but the price is so steep.      So far, years using Parafilm Grafting Tape and zero issues with it.

You sound just like me two years ago.. Its not that Parafilm doesn't work, its just amazing how well Parafilm handles and works.  One grafted tree (success) retails for more than a roll! I'm a pretty frugal guy, its worth every penny!

[adiel]

I will have to try it out then one day.     Maybe when they do the group order again...

[CTMIAMI]

I have Buddy tape as well. I find I can not put as much pressure as I like to when top working trees.  Some time you have to push the budwood into the shape you need after you cut it and the buddy tape does not hold it. Is good for some things but for other the plastic tape is better.

[TREESNMORE]

Carlos
That is way I use differnt tapes and I tie with rubber strips ,plastic tape and clothes pins.

[Mark in Texas]

Being that parafilm seems to break quite easily for me (I'm pretty aggressive with my wrapping) I do the graft and mainly use the parafilm to hold the scion into position and make sure the scion is covered so it doesn't dry out.  I then go back to the cambium contact point and really cinch it down using green plastic tape for total cambium contact.  That's the cheapo green gardening/staking type found at Walmart or nurseries.

The initial layer of parafilm cushions the green tissue from bruising as I cinch it down with the tough green vinyl tape.

I think everyone has to find and stick to a program that works best for them. 

[ScottR]

Yeah Mark, you got it right on! That's the way I've been doing my graft's on Avo's and Cherimoya but I like to use 3/8" x 8" bud or grafting rubbers over para-film but also us the white 1/2" wide poly tape( like to mark graft # on white tape w/ perm. blk. marker). Also for small graft's 3/16" or smaller like 1/2" wide parafilm roll but now cutting all my para-film-M from big roll so I cut 1/2"--1" strips, only think that's a bummer is getting paper backing off sometimes!

[Mark in Texas]

Yep, life's aggravations.  Parafilm breaking, paper not coming off, what's a grafter gonna do?

On the last batch of veneer grafts about 5 days ago, I sliced the scion, placed it against the rootstock and then outlined the scion width with a fine marker to help get my rootstock removal of stock down a tad better.  Is that getting anal or what?   

[CTMIAMI]

I'm not sure if "anal" is a word that would apply but precise comes to mind.
In my experience I rather be bigger than precise. Bigger is better.

[ScottR]

Mark, nice perfection precise is nice, bigger is better Carlos, and  Schick blade, which I used for first time today on some Avocado graft's WOW, why haven't I had this tool in my grafting box before Best tip ever Carlos thank you!

[CTMIAMI]

I spent 15 minutes tonight stropping mine getting it ready for tomorrow. One blade so far probably 300+ cuts by now.

[ScottR]

Wow, I'm impressed Carlos, I hope I can strop mine that far too, that's getten your money's worth for sure!