Cutting frags and growth

[NewSchool04]

I was wondering if anyone noticed that their acros grew quicker after fragging them?

I've noticed mostly on my slow growers that after fragging, they seem to really shoot up the month after.

[ataylo13]

I have read from different people that when they frag an acro that it will branch (Y) where it was clipped. Has anyone else noticed that?

But alas none of my colored sticks are at a frag-able size... yet

[leeweber85]

I've noticed on millies that after your frag a branch, it usually starts to grow 4 or more branches from that spot.

[NewSchool04]

Anyone else? Anyone notice a speed up on growth after cutting?

[snyder2050]

IME whenever I frag a sps they sprout multiple branches from the location of the cut. So if you frag where there was a single branch and it sprouts multiple you'll get increased growth by having more growth tips.

[chrismhaase]

I have noticed that fragging entices multiple growths. Go get cutting!!

[dots]

Originally posted by chrismhaase
I have noticed that fragging entices multiple growths. Go get cutting!!

That is the word on the street, but I am too chicken to do it.......besides, I have waited a long time for that 1/2" tall nub and I want to appreciate it.

[jeffbrig]

I had blue tort frag that had grown to a single 5" stalk in about 6 months. I fragged it about halfway up. In 3 months since, I have two new branches almost 2" each coming up from the base, and the existing branch has split into 5 new tips.

[Jester]

nothing I've had is big enough to frag, but I know my digitata branches off where I accidently break something off...

[SDguy]

Interesting. Whenever I cut a single branch (single, clean,straight cut, perpendicular to the branch), it simply grows back the branch, splitting later, but as normal growth...nothing I would attribute to the cutting. Due to the way corals grow, I find it surprising that people are seeing their acros "sprouting" as if the were plants.

I also don't notice faster growth after cutting.

[DurTBear]

Random question...at what height/length do you consider an sps to be "fragable?"

[miwoodar]

I have a small table that I purchased at about the size of a quarter (8 tiny branches). I had if for a year and all it did was encrust the rock I attached it to. After fragging a few of my other corals and seeing them sprout I went ahead and lopped off all of the branches on the table. It has now grown maybe 30 new tips in the past 4 months and is larger than a silver dollar.

[fishdoc11]

I notice faster growth some of the time after fragging. More often than not I notice multiple branches sprouting from the same spot. A lot depends on the type of coral and the flow present.
Something else that I have noticed at times is sometimes when you aquire a new piece it kind of browns out and stops growing for a while but still looks healthy as far as polyp extension etc..... Often you can jump start the corals transition to the color it is going to take on in your tank by fragging. Both the frag and the new growth will often be a different color while the remaining part will remain the same sort of browned out color. Hope that makes sense
Chris

[stevedola]

Just clipped my tricolor 3 weeks ago and already have 3 little nubs shooting off. Same thing happened to my blue stag when it was clean cut from t he top...it has 3 nubs also.

[jay24k]

I have a blue tort where I didn't frag it. It grew about 4 to 5 inches tall and then split. So I'm not sure if we can base it off that. It could also be the way it heals. I bet you could force splits by gluing a thin spacer at the cut to force it to grow around it.

[stevedola]

prob could do that...might just grow over that spacer but may make some sort of odd growth from it.

[SDguy]

Originally posted by stevedola
prob could do that...might just grow over that spacer but may make some sort of odd growth from it.

I've had this happen occasionally when a coraline "flake" has fallen onto the acro

[leeweber85]

Originally posted by DurTBear
Random question...at what height/length do you consider an sps to be "fragable?"

I don't like to frag anything until it has reached 3-4 inches with multiple branches...but there are always those accidental frags on smaller colonies that still make it. Generally after the colony has encrusted on to a rock you will be safe to frag it.. You have to be careful when you glue the new frags down as the glue heats them up and can kill them.

[nismo driver]

the garf site has documentation supporting the fragging for increased growth theory.. also positioning frags to promote branching..

[NewSchool04]

Reason I asked was I was thinking about fragging my A. gomezi. Take the two top tips off to promote some growth. It's not what I would consider a slow grower but definitely not a fast one.

[mcliffy2]

Originally posted by NewSchool04
Reason I asked was I was thinking about fragging my A. gomezi. Take the two top tips off to promote some growth. It's not what I would consider a slow grower but definitely not a fast one.

Youre just looking for an excuse to show that amazin pic again

When you frag it check that thread on the chicago board and see whos first in line...I think it may be... ME

[NewSchool04]

Ha, you may be right!

[stryker]

I haven't noticed an increased growth rate. the healing of the cut area might be mistaken for faster growth, since the exposed area usually has a larger diameter.

i have noticed more branches developing from a fresh cut wound. It seems to have to do with the texture of the wound. A jagged texture promotes more branching while a smooth surface tends to grow a single branch. I prefer breaking branches as opposed to cutting them, to leave a more jagged wound.

any type of fragging seems to stress the coral, as it loses color slightly.