Using an Antidesiccant
These products (wilt-pruf is one name and I have used it for years) are essentially organic oils that are sprayed onto a plant. When the material dries, it creates a thin layer that blocks the leaf stomata. A blocked stomata (plant sweat pore) means the leaf can't lose moisture.
And losing moisture or wilting is the main cause of plant death in propagation or transplanting. I routinely spray my shrubs and definitely spray evergreens when they're transplanted in the spring. The roots can establish themselves and by the time the material wears off (60-90 days) the plant is strongly growing and doing well.
Annual and perennial plants grow right on through this material and new leaves are not bothered by it at all.
The spray goes on white and foamy (you can see where you spray) but then dries clear
Antidesiccants can also be used to spray broadleafed plants in the late fall so winter burning is reduced. Full directions for this are on the label.
I also spray plants an hour or so before I take cuttings. This lets the material dry and harden and then when I take the cutting, it doesn't lose moisture and tends to root quite nicely without having to use rooting hormone.
How To Spray
You'd think this would be simple but here's a caution. This material will gum up your sprayer really, really quickly if you don't rinse the sprayer immediately after use. I purchase the Wilt-Pruf - 1 Quart Concentrate
and use my own small handsprayers
That way if (and when) the nozzle clogs up, I simply recycle the sprayer and use a new one.
Immediately after spraying, fill the sprayer with water and spray the bottle again to clear the nozzle.
However, you may find it more convenient to buy it by the smaller quantity, click here to see pricing on small bottles of Wilt-pruf
