You can also coat the cut areas with cinnamon powder too, a natural fungicide that also helps heal wounds on plant tissue. I've been using cinnamon for quite a few years now on orchids and other plants when they show signs of fungal infection. I've also heard people talk about using it as a rooting hormone when rooting plant cuttings ... I don't know if it promotes roots to grow but it will heal the cut ends of the stems that you stick in the soil.
I have a large container of cinnamon that I bought at Sam's Club a few years ago (it will probably last forever.)
I keep it in a cabinet in the garage with all of my gardening supplies.
