An experiment conducted by Dr. Ágnes Kun in Hungary to compare the effectiveness of different grafting waxes reveals "remarkable success" with Starwax.
STARWAX is a neutral microcrystalline wax to which aluminum microparticles (in a very small percentage) have been added to reflect UV and infrared rays in order to protect the developing callus.
The study compared performances of 7 various waxes made for different steps of the grafting process (callusing, nursery and storage). The study was conducted with two Hungarian grapevine varieties, “Pintes” and “Kadarka”. Each treatment comprised 25 grapevine grafts in 4 replications, and was compared to an untreated control batch for each variety.
“The best paraffin wax of this trial was Starwax yielding an outstanding final success”
Surprising fact : while the hormonal waxes did show a positive influence on callus formation, the study revealed that there was no significant relationship between callus formation and final grafting success ! However, Ágnes Kun points out that these waxes were developed exclusively for callusing and not for the whole process.
In conclusion, in spite of a late bud break probably due to its protective function, Starwax had a remarkable success : 72% for the Pintes variety and 90% for the Kadarka variety.
Starwax remains today the only wax of this type on the market.
Starwax is made for extreme climatic conditions
The wax has been developed by the French company CFCL in cooperation with the former Spanish laboratory Quimiwax (now Parafinas Quintanar). Starwax is now owned by SER Group and manufactured in Italy with the same technical characteristics and formulation.
Thanks to its great plasticity and a high melting temperature (about 80°C), it guarantees an optimal protection of the plants especially in strong sunlight. It gives excellent results in areas highly exposed to the sun such as California (see 2009 study), South Africa, Argentina, or closer to us, Romania, Hungary or even France (Mercier Nurseries have used it for years).