Stimulating branching in SPS (not tip nipping)

[Capt_Cully]

I posted this in the SPS forum as well, but we have quite a few pros locally so I thought I'd ask:


I've read about snipping the tips of corals to stimulate growth and branching.

Has anyone tried to get stags to branch from their main stalk? I have a few stags that are beginning to branch but the main stalk is several inches long.

I was thinking of trying to irritate one on its side with a scalpel. Do you think it would just heal over, or would it stimulate a new branch?

Ever tried?
Opinions?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

interesting. Like cut a notch in the trunk and see if branches will grow out of it? Never tried that.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Just spitt balling. I'd obviously not wanna risk the colony. Ive seen the theory that growth and energy is directed towards areas of injury as a evolutionary/darwinistic survival method. Not sure how it's proveable, but it looks good on paper. There's got to be a nut out there that's tried it, maybe not. Water change today, perhaps I'll be the first...

 

[pascal32]

Never tried. With chalices you can form a new head by cutting a spot with a razor blade (same idea you are suggesting)

 

[tent boy]

I know with plants it works. The growth at the tips of both the root and the main shoot is called apical meristem. The tip produces a hormone that suppresses side growth.

 

[tent boy]

Missed the (not tip nipping) part