I grafted my first tree this year, a quince. They are already leafing out. When I went to go put Doc Farwell's on it, I realized that mine had solidified over the winter and now was a grainy, sandy, solid mess. I had to go to Portland Nursery and buy some more. I believe the culprit was that I left it outside (covered) all winter. Next winter I'll bring it inside. Hopefully, you wont' have to make this mistake now.
John S
PDX OR
The first time I did some grafting, I tried to open the jar of Doc Farwell's yellow goop only to find the lid was totally glued to the jar. After every way I could think of to open it, I finally had to break the plastic lid. It is a fundamental necessity to keep the jar upright and maybe ask someone at the store to open the jar before you purchase it.
I can relate… and the stuff ain’t cheap 
I’ve been using a method shared from fellow grafters: cut a section of thick plastic bag, like the heavier fancy shopping bags (not the flimsy grocery ones) and place it between the plastic jar top and lid, then screw the lid down as tight as you like, making sure it’s ‘level’ with no air gaps. That way the seal breaks much easier. If it doesn’t… I’ve a nice big pair of channel lock adjustable pliers that have worked well for me...
Channel Locks, Oil filter wrench, Jorgenson Hand screw clamps, bar clamps -- that baby was sealed with chunks of dried goo 0.5" thick.
What ever happened to containers like old-fashioned paint cans (which are used for latex paints -- that are basically similar to this goo)?
And since the lid was broken, I had to transfer what was left to a quart Mason jar (with a plastic lid) that has a double layer of plastic bag film as a cover/gasket.
Has anybody attempted to use an aqueous based water-proof wood glue? If it were mixed with something like carpenter's chalk line chalk to thicken it a bit, it might be a workable alternative. The chalk is inert and not likely to harbor any pathogen (which something like flour or corn starch could).
[quote="John S":nj5ie6p8]I grafted my first tree this year, a quince. They are already leafing out. When I went to go put Doc Farwell's on it, I realized that mine had solidified over the winter and now was a grainy, sandy, solid mess. I had to go to Portland Nursery and buy some more. I believe the culprit was that I left it outside (covered) all winter. Next winter I'll bring it inside. Hopefully, you wont' have to make this mistake now.
John S
PDX OR[/quote:nj5ie6p8]
Stir it rapidly with a butter knife for awhile. I had this happen once and actually got the smooth creamy consistency back after doing this.
From that point on, I always stored in indoors over the winter. Still needs stirring a little by spring anyway.
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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