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[Scott Smith <scott@cs.jhu.edu>]

I would not just wax the ends myself.  I think some commercial operations do 
that, but they are storing a lot of wood and if you have a lot of wood 
together the volume vs surface area ratio is much higher so it will dry out 
much more slowly.  They also may not be using a regular refrigerator, the 
normal kitchen fridge can really dry things out even if bagged.

I do the paper towel method.  I have had stuff go bad, but if I check monthly 
and gently scrub off any mold I am good.  Also there should be no great 
moisture in the bag, just a paper towel that is not stiff.

Scott

On Feb 25, 2011, at 7:40 AM, david.maxwell@dal.ca wrote:

> I suspect that there is more belief than science involved, and that I may 
> trigger strongly held 
> opinions, but I would like to seek the collective wisdom on the best way to 
> store scion wood.  
> I have always put a little bit of moist paper towel over the cut ends, put 
> them in a Baggie, and 
> stored them in the fridge until spring.  I have recently had strong 
> objections that this will result 
> in the scions becoming mouldy because of the humidity, (and indeed they do 
> sometimes 
> develop a surface growth of a white mould, but this does not seem to affect 
> the takes, or do 
> the scions the slightest harm).  It was suggested that the better way is to 
> dip the ends in 
> some sort of wax to "seal" them, and then store them dry. Will they dry out 
> like this, and will 
> the drying not kill the scions just as surely?   Any thoughts or advice?
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