Spurring new sps growth
 

I don't know if anyone else has tried this, but a little while ago after trimming a sps branch of a "Green slimer" acro I noticed that quickly 2 new branches started from the spot. So I wondered if I trimmed just 1 coralite what would happen, well now I've got a new branch growing from apart of the branch where there were no signs of new growth previously. I thought this was pretty cool & will try it on other corals to try & inspire new growth.
So I now wonder if there were 2 corals about to touch each other if you were to trim coralites off a lower section of the branch, if the branch would stop shy because it would be dedicating growth energy to the trimmed coralites instead of the end of the branch. Does anyone know anymore about this?

I don't think you'd retard growth of existing branches, but I have created branches by cutting into an existing branch (just a tiny notch).

When ever I get a dormant frag or colony branch (you can usually tell by rounded appearance)....I trim the very tip and new growth is likely to come. Been doing this for quite some time and works really well. Many people do the same thing.

Take a read on the GARF site they say the same thing.

If you break off a breanch opposed to a clean cut most time you will get 2 or more new branches form. This will make for a bushier coral.

Corals for many years in the old days were thought to be related to plants, and with just cause. Sometimes I have a hard time believing they're animals when I see so many similarities with plants. I do also find a lot of my gardening techniques apply in my tank as well.

I do break off branches and tips to start new growths and to keep the colony in a healthy shape (important for birdsnest and pocci's). Now, trimming a single coralite and getting a new branch? That's cool!

Did you just trim a radial coralite? If so, how did you do this?

To answer your question, I don't necessarily think forming branches down low will stunt the growth of the main branch. It may slow the growth for a short time as energy is diverted toward growing new branches but I think that will be short lived, especially once the new branch comes "online" and becomes a producer for the colony. Now, if you regulary pruned the colony to form new branches this technique might work. Only one way to find out, right?

Yes, this works and I do it all the time. As mentioned, you want to snap the branch, rather than crush it off with cutters

[quote=ScubaSteve;612159]

(Did you just trim a radial coralite? If so, how did you do this?)


Yes, with bone cutters & now it's started the new growth of an Incipient Radial coralite

Any ideas on how to get these guys to branch out?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...eefTank114.jpg



http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...eefTank094.jpg

The first one seems to really have encrusted well so it's possible that one won't show any growth at the tip and instead sprout from the bottom like some of mine have. The second though hasn't even encrusted so I think it's maybe too early to start snipping.

And after reading this thread last night I went and cut 4 of my frags. I was scared to try and snap them for fear of breaking off far more than intended so I did the 'crush the tip' off technique. Guess now I'll wait and see.

That first one definately has the rounded stunted growth look. No growth tips.....a trim of the very tip will help.

Second one looks like it has a growth tip...its a stag so it might get pretty long before it branches....