AusBonsai

I've been looking for a good sealant (available in Australia) to seal timber in contact with bonsai soil.

I've had problems in the past with rot in exposed timber where large roots have to be cut any suggestions?

Jan

Jan

I know alot of americans who use miramax as a wood hardener and timber sealant. Im not sure if its available here or what its equivalent maybe? some of this stuff can be poisonous to plants so might pay to check around. Others members here maybe using something else. Good luck.

I chased down a guy in Australia that is a distibutor for Minwax wood hardener. I am unsure If I have the details anymore. I have some Earls wood hardener but I have not used it enough to compare to minwax wood hardener. I would say that any wood in contact with soil will rot even with the wood hardener. That has been my experience with hornbeam anyway.

Brett thats the stuff minwax. I think Brett's right that you may have ongoing trouble with this especially if its soft wood however no harm in trying and see how long its lasts

G, day Guys what I do is clean it then lime sulphur. Then I use a quick drying cement. Which is then painted to match the Lime sulphur it has worked for me for 10 years.I just redo as necessary .
I am sorry I lost the details. It is dark grey in colour it goes off in about 20 Min's, but it is pliable all the time you are using it just add water slowly.

Just try for it in the building department in Mitre 10 or Bunnings. I think it is a bit like the cement fondue stuff. Sorry I cant be more specific. If there are any Tilers or builders out there they might know. I do think some of the tiles cements might be the one so you could try a tile store.

I was told by the guy that gave it to me it was not cheap. He has a habit of bending the truth though. The other thing he said it was from SA.
So the crow eaters out there might know of what I speak. Pup

Hi Jan,

Ear's wood hardener is readily available in Australia and is similar to Minwax. It is available from most hardware stores for about $20 for a 250ml spray bottle or $50 for 1 litre bottle or you can purchase direct from the distributor Timbermate Products Pty Ltd - Phone 1800 354 811

I have the 250ml spray bottle but haven't used it yet. Has anyone had experience with wood hardener? What have your results been?

Regards,
Steven

It really does work well. I painted the Earls wood hardener on to a rotten mangrove false trunk and it is now hard as a rock.

I bought some that i intend to use for treating some potential tanuki timber. I tested it on some wood that was almost corky from being partially rotted, and it is now very hard. I only gave it 1 coat too!

JayC

Thanks for the information.

I am interested in taking some seriously large wisteria cuttings - while I'm sure that they will shoot from the live outer layer, I have been worried about sealing the porous timber in the central area of the cut surface that will be in contact with the soil.

I'll experiment with some cuttings to test the products before attacking the major material I have my eye on.

Jan

I have taken large cuttings and noticed the one's I ket too moist rotted and died, the ones I let dry more are fine.