Quote:
Originally posted by kestrel
I have a very nice rock of cabbage leathers ... ...Can I remove these two and relocate them to another rock? If so, do I just slice them off with a razor and then attach them to the other rock with bridal veil?
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Hi Daryl,
This will work fine, but as far as the use of the razor, it will not be necessary, as the cabbage leathers will usually peel off the rock with a little slow and steady traction. They will attach overnight if the substrate is free of loose material and microalgae. The use of the tulle will make it much easier, but don't leave it on after the leather attaches, as the specimen will usually adhere to the tulle as well if it is left in place for too long. These octocorals do well with superglue gel to start their attachment, although it is usually unnecessary.
If you want to increase your numbers, then peel the leather off the rock, slice it into quarters like a pie (from the top view), making sure that each piece has some of the foot and adequate capitulum (leaf face). These will do best if put into a piece of Tupperware with a layer of 1" diameter rubble pieces. Place the cuttings into this container and cover the top with some tulle. Place it in a location where there will be gentle current and some indirect light. The cuttings will adhere to pieces of the rubble in 2 to 3 days and begin to expand and grow. Don't be surprised if they shed a little mucus, just suck it out of the container with a turkey baster. Both cuttings and peripheral constriction work for propagating this genus of
Alcyoniidae. This particular specie is an easy octocoral for propagation, and although constriction of an extended section is the most reliable, it is also the slowest propagation technique in that it guarantees survival of the parents and the props while both parts grow into independence (that is the slow part).
HTH
