Help out a 1st time mushroom cutter?

reefer_wannabe · 03-01-2002, 11:47 PM

I have a rock with LOTS of large Discosoma sp. on it. I would like to propagate some of these mushrooms and have some trading items. How do I go about doing this? I went to the GARF site, but that was as clear as a Southdown sea storm. Or maybe I'm just too dense to understand. Either way, I need help!!

I have wedding veil, super glue, fragging rocks, scissors, etc. Now all I need is some clear instructions on how to do this. Any help you can give this crazed, scissors-wielding maniac would be appreciated!!

Cheers!

BTW...I can tune a 780hp small block Chevy sprint car motor, but I can't cut a ^%$*( mushroom. I think I need a hobby adjustment.

reefguy · 03-01-2002, 11:53 PM

well, i've successfully propagated mushrooms TWICE using the old rubberband method. take the piece of mushroom (or the whole) and attach it to a rock by wrapping a rubber band around the rock and mushroom. IME, superglue does not work too well because the mushroom's natural response is to start sliming, which makes a pretty difficult surface for superglue to hold. if you want to attach the mushroom to the rock, use a little pressure...if you want to attach the mushroom to the rock AND split it, use a lot of pressure. if you want some pictures of the results after i've removed the rubber bands, let me know. the only problem with propagation, though, is that you can quickly get more mushroom than you need or want!! LOL

Fishaholic · 03-02-2002, 10:47 AM

If you are going to cut there are few things that will incrase your success.

Cut the shroom directly below the disc leaving the stalk on the rock. The stalk will most times produce another disc.

Once the disc is seperated it will discharge water and become small. If you want to cut it further allow it to remain in the water for a day or two untill it expands again. If you work fast enough you can do it all at once. Then cut it into fourths as you would a pizza. Put the pieces on a rock and cover with your wedding veil snug for two to three weeks.

Use the superglue to fix broken coffee mugs.

Good Luck.

Rick O · 03-02-2002, 01:13 PM

If this is your first attempt at coral propagating then you've chosen one of the most difficult to propagate. I've tried both methods described above and they both work well. Another method is to drop the cuttings into a tupperware container that contains course sand or crushed coral in it. Put the container in a low flow area of the tank. In a few days the cuttings will attach to the sand then you can superglue the sand to a rock or some rubble.

OodleyBoodely · 03-02-2002, 04:28 PM

All the above method work great! I use a sharp pair of scissors and catch the 'shroom while it is fully expanded. Just clip it off in one cut through the stem, below the mouth. I then quickly cut the disk into quarters (or more if it is a big one!). Then, my preference is to place it in a dish of gravel and leave on the bottom of the tank until the pieces adhere to the gravel at which point you can super glue them where ever you want. I find the rubberband method best to increase numbers of 'shrooms that are already firmly attached as I have had some cut ones slip out from under the bands and get lost in the tank. Using veil, IMO, is tedious and drives me nuts, but it does work well.

dark horge · 03-02-2002, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishaholic
Use the superglue to fix broken coffee mugs.

Doesn't the heat from fresh coffee cause the mug to expand, and the cyanoacrylate bond to fail?

Just asking, as I have LOTS of broken mugs

Fishaholic · 03-02-2002, 05:27 PM

I do not know

This is what happens when someone who does not drink coffee gives advice on fixing broken coffee mugs

reefer_wannabe · 03-02-2002, 10:28 PM

Many thanks to all who have posted. I'm ready to take the plunge tomorrow. I'll be saying a prayer in church in the am so as not to severly injure any 'shrooms.

I'll keep the super glue handy, for those occasions when the wife asks "how much did you spend at the LFS?".

The Shroom Meister · 03-03-2002, 10:27 AM

I am not a believer in disecting mushrooms. I've found over the years that stable parameters and most of all, the use of ESV's Spray Dried Plankton works unlike anything I have ever tried. What ever they put in this stuff is magic. On any given day 50 % of my shrooms are splitting/dividing or sprouting new babies. I will post some pics this week of this process. I have to sell or give away exoctic shrooms 2 or 3 times a year just to keep the reef natural looking.

The directions suggest feeding once per day, I use it every 3rd day. The expansion is unbelievable and the plankton is very affordable.

HOT CORAL · 03-04-2002, 09:49 AM

i learned by accident a great way to propagate shrooms,

take a piece of small branch live rock, about a 1/2 to 1inch diameter, and whatever length and place it on top of the shroom, the pressure will cause the shroom to split in about 2days and then you have a few already attached and can superglue wherever you wish, personally unless you have a propagation tank as well, i dont like to look at wedding vails in my display