Painted exposed stems, BAM burst of growth

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goodeats4me

Registered:1337620162
Posts: 25

Posted 1459985339 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

Been thinking about it for over a year, have plenty of both white and brown bark paint used on citrus. Well don't wait like I did, it was very obvious by the third day that the newly painted stems had a huge effect on growth, every plant perked up and they were looking pretty good already. Would like to hear what others have experienced. Edit: To be a bit more clear I am referring to stems or branches that are exposed to hot noon time sun, thus the reference to bark paint. __________________ Larry Field Mesa AZ 9B

tennesseefig

Registered:1447835812
Posts: 218

Posted 1459986367	Reply with quote #2

Why paint the figs? I have never heard of this... __________________ Micah 4:4But each one shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, for the mouth of יְהוָה of hosts has spoken. Zone 7a, wanting: JH Adriatic, Smith, Strawberry Verte, VdB, RdB

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1460008398	Reply with quote #3

Quote: Originally Posted by tennesseefig Why paint the figs? I have never heard of this... To protect the bark from sunburn and also to discourage borers and other critters that might otherwise attack the bark. You can use interior white latex paint cut in half with water. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1460053612	Reply with quote #4

What type of paint would that be, and what type might harm figs? (oil, latex or water based)??? __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1460055352	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by Elfarach What type of paint would that be, and what type might harm figs? (oil, latex or water based)??? I use interior flat latex paint. I don't think it is very toxic, if at all. Since children have a tendency to eat paint chips, they've started making it out of mostly non-toxic materials. Most paint manufacturers' websites have links to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each of their products. Here is the list from Olympic: https://www.olympic.com/products/paints/olympic-home-property-maintenance-interior-paint I can't promise you that it's 100% safe, but I looked at the MSDS and it seems OK to me. It's mostly latex (plant based), kaolin clay, diatomaceous earth, and titanium dioxide (often used as a filler in vitamin tablets). The MSDS doesn't mention any other substances, but who knows what else might be in there. If you want to stay on the safe side, here is a recipe for homemade organic tree paint: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/homemade-organic-tree-paint-99650.html __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1460066102	Reply with quote #6

Thanks Paul... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

Lewi

Registered:1441222269
Posts: 149

Posted 1460101936 · Edited	Reply with quote #7

Larry, In parts of Europe ( Greece especially) almost all the olive and citrus trunks are painted white... I have painted a few trees, mostly because it really does help with insect and critter damage. I had 3 Muscadine vines girdled by something (???). After spaying for grape root borer, painted them to cover the wood. I once used tree yet in Florida....BAD choice. The sun bakes the now darker tree and can kill it. __________________ West Florida (West of the Apalachiola River as defined by the proclamation of 1763). zone 8a winters can get cold for figs...down to 12 F twice in last four years. Lewi = Levite

greyongray

Registered:1317425090
Posts: 11

Posted 1460147488	Reply with quote #8

The AZ sun is so strong, even our native trees get sunburned! (I'm thinking of palo verdes here) I don't have any experience with a fast growth spurt after painting, but I now paint exposed trunks on all of my trees because it is just too sad to see them get damaged. This year I am doing a light green paint and it is a little easier on the eyes - diluted 50% with water. I suppose in a good microclimate an exposed trunk that gets shade would not burn here. I am letting my trees grow as bushes, but until they can shade themselves I will help them out with "sunscreen". The Arizona figs have spoken! __________________ Phoenix AZ Zone 9B

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1460148539	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by greyongray The AZ sun is so strong, even our native trees get sunburned! (I'm thinking of palo verdes here) I don't have any experience with a fast growth spurt after painting, but I now paint exposed trunks on all of my trees because it is just too sad to see them get damaged. This year I am doing a light green paint and it is a little easier on the eyes - diluted 50% with water. I suppose in a good microclimate an exposed trunk that gets shade would not burn here. I am letting my trees grow as bushes, but until they can shade themselves I will help them out with "sunscreen". The Arizona figs have spoken! Light green or pale tan sounds like it would blend in better than stark white. I just asked my wife if she would mind if I painted all the trunks white and she said, "Do whatever you want", which means she will hate it. Personally I think white trunks look spiffy. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

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