Help with fragging Toadstool

[RobH]

I have a large toadstool, probably about 9-10" tall from base, with a large cap. I have had several local reefers ask me about fragging it so they can get some. Through my research I have found out it can be fragged, but I can't find anything detailed on how to frag it. I am very new to the hobby, and this toadstool is my favorite and my first thing I had. I dont want to kill it by messing up.

Can someone give me a more detailed way to frag it. I read to cut the top like you would a pizza, but from there its vague. Do I cut the stem to, so the cut top piece, has part of the base.....or do i just cut a chunk of the top off, and it will grow a new base? I also read to cut the top and down the base, but dont separate the cut pieces. Let the toadstool heal up some, than cut off the chunk you previously separated.

As you can see, I really need help, so if someone can walk me through what to do I would greatly appreciate it. I'm sure my toadstool would appreciate it too, so I don't massacre the poor guy.

Thank you in advance

 

[gflat65]

To take a few frags, just use a razor blade and slice off a few pieces off the edge. The ends will grow around together and form a normal looking toadstool. I usually put my taod cuttings in a small tupperware container with coarse substrate (crushed coral) and low flow. When the frags attach to the crushe coral, glue it down to a rock. Run carbon after cutting (or change if it's been a while).

If you wanted to cut it down, you can cut the entire head off and pizza pie it. You could cut huge pieces, or a ton of smaller pieces (pain to keep track of until they attach). IME, once you start fragging them, they can sometimes start fragging themselves on a regular basis. Good luck with it.

 

[RobH]

Thank you for replying. If I work up the courage I will give it a shot. I've never fragged anything, and its a beautiful specimen....I just can't believe slicing it up like that wouldn't harm it irreversibly.

 

[gflat65]

To build comfort levels, just slice a piece off the back side of it and watch how it heals. In my old club, we fragged a large Lobophytum in a meeting. In that case, the stalk died, but the frags made it. The frags were taken one at a time until there was nearly nothing left of the stalk, though. I usually just slice of the edges so I don't change the form too much at any one time.

 

[RobH]

How long does it normally take to start healing, and fully heal, if I just took a minimal frag chunk off? How long would it in turn take the frag to start living a healthy life on its own? Reason I ask is because someone gave me a fresh frag of a monticap, and it hasn't changed at all in like 3 weeks...so i'm not sure if its even still alive, or if I'm just keeping a dead frag in my tank. I assume the new Toadstool frag would eventually grow its own stem?

 

[junaid]

yeah the toadstool will grow its own stem (stalk) within a few days of ataching itself to a bit of rock or something. if your going to superglue it, make sure you dont use too much as it may kill the frag (from personal experience).

HTH.

 

[WestTxReefer]

go to youtube and type in fragging toadstool in the search field, there is a very detailed video on there about this topic, and he actually frags his ( about 18" in diameter) while he walks you through the process

 

[RobH]

Awesome, thanks everyone! Now I definetely know how to do it! :beer:

That video was nice to see.

 

[jadams7]

Yep toadstools are pretty hearty, you can basically cut them in any fashion you want (for the most part). Be sure to allow the little 'frags' to attach to some substrate or rock first, it makes it WAY easier to then attach them to a frag plug or rock. Best of luck!