Grafted Monti: How to get more color?

AllTheCorals · Mar 20, 2018

I have the JF Cold fusion that has been growing at a great rate, but only green. Is there a trick to get more red?

I was thinking maybe I need to frag it through the red and that'll cause the red to continue growing?

-Tamer

tupes · Mar 21, 2018

I've never had one but I think that would be a good option to try. With the red in the middle it can't expand.

AllTheCorals · Mar 21, 2018

tupes said:
I've never had one but I think that would be a good option to try. With the red in the middle it can't expand.

Seems unusual though. I see many other grafted pieces that are very random. I'm wondering if It could be placement.

Braves Fan · Mar 22, 2018

I think it would be kinda like a rainbow chalice ,, if the color isn't there to start with ,,, chances are ,, it ain't going to get there ,, needed to have more red in the original cutting of the frag ,,, a coral like this needs to be WYSIWYG

AllTheCorals · Mar 22, 2018

Braves Fan said:
I think it would be kinda like a rainbow chalice ,, if the color isn't there to start with ,,, chances are ,, it ain't going to get there ,, needed to have more red in the original cutting of the frag ,,, a coral like this needs to be WYSIWYG

It was purchased directly from JF as a very small piece and has grown to this size in about 4 months. All green =(

Do you think fragging it in the red part will help grow?

Braves Fan · Mar 23, 2018

I think,, JMO and hope I don't get banned for this comment ,,, he cut you a really bad frag of it ,, there are some vendors ,, who I don't buy from ,, unless its a WYSIWYG ,, Jason is one of them ,, and this frag he cut for you proves the reasoning that I live by when buying corals from certain vendors ,,, they haven't earned my trust ,, for them to cut me a nice representation of what ever coral frag I am wanting to acquire ,, unless its WYSIWYG ,, to many vendors sell this coral ,, look around for a better frag with more red in it ,,, chunk this piece ,,, its what I would do,, I wouldn't be happy about it ,,, buts its what I would do ,,,

rossco · Mar 23, 2018

I think it would be worth a try to cut through the red. Right through the middle so you have 2 chances. I would use a precise cutting tool like a thin diamond wheel on a dremel or a coral band saw.

mike werner · Mar 23, 2018

Braves Fan said:
I think,, JMO and hope I don't get banned for this comment ,,, he cut you a really bad frag of it ,, there are some vendors ,, who I don't buy from ,, unless its a WYSIWYG ,, Jason is one of them ,, and this frag he cut for you proves the reasoning that I live by when buying corals from certain vendors ,,, they haven't earned my trust ,, for them to cut me a nice representation of what ever coral frag I am wanting to acquire ,, unless its WYSIWYG ,, to many vendors sell this coral ,, look around for a better frag with more red in it ,,, chunk this piece ,,, its what I would do,, I wouldn't be happy about it ,,, buts its what I would do ,,,

oh boy! I want to see how this turns out.

Braves Fan · Mar 23, 2018

It is what it is ,,, this forum is ,, for the most part ,, for hobbyist ,,, name me anyone of us that would be happy if we paid a premium price for a premium frag of a grafted monti ,,, and this is what we got shipped to us ,, as a vendor,, you send a customer this frag,, you are putting your name on it ,, make it a quality frag ,, if you are a quality vendor ,,,

Daniel@R2R · Mar 23, 2018

Anyone on the #reefsquad or any of our #SPSexperts got any wisdom on grafted montis?

AllTheCorals · Mar 23, 2018

For what I paid wysiwyg I can’t complain. Perhaps it was priced for what I received and I didn’t know any better at the time. I don’t feel like I was taken advantage of because a solid green wouldn’t have been much less money. His packing and communication was fantastic and the sps frags were some of the largest I’ve gotten from any vendor.

I’ll take your advice making my next purchase of a crafted monti. Thank you very much for responding!

Braves Fan said:
I think,, JMO and hope I don't get banned for this comment ,,, he cut you a really bad frag of it ,, there are some vendors ,, who I don't buy from ,, unless its a WYSIWYG ,, Jason is one of them ,, and this frag he cut for you proves the reasoning that I live by when buying corals from certain vendors ,,, they haven't earned my trust ,, for them to cut me a nice representation of what ever coral frag I am wanting to acquire ,, unless its WYSIWYG ,, to many vendors sell this coral ,, look around for a better frag with more red in it ,,, chunk this piece ,,, its what I would do,, I wouldn't be happy about it ,,, buts its what I would do ,,,

AllTheCorals · Mar 23, 2018

rossco said:
I think it would be worth a try to cut through the red. Right through the middle so you have 2 chances. I would use a precise cutting tool like a thin diamond wheel on a dremel or a coral band saw.

I will give this a try! Thank you!

themcnertney · Mar 23, 2018

I'd let it be. Propagating it might make things worse. If you ask me, the coral is what it is.

DSC reef · Mar 23, 2018

Grafted montis are hit and miss, from what I've seen the frag makes a difference. It might start growing red, it might not. I don't think cutting it will make a difference but I've also never tried.

AllTheCorals · Mar 23, 2018

I think at this point I’ll give it a try for experiments sake and update the thread when I have some results. One little spec of red isn’t very impressive so I wouldn’t feel bad if I lose the red. The shade of the green in person is very nice compared to my other green monti. I just purchased the d6 used and haven’t spent enough time tinkering to make the colors true.

JaimeAdams · Mar 23, 2018

From my reading of the origination story, they did keep cutting the monti to get more of the sub color in it. I do not think (my opinion) that if you let it keep growing that it will develop more red. I would slice it so that the red in on an outer edge.

jsker · Mar 23, 2018

Have you checked you trace elements such as iron

BigJim · Mar 23, 2018

Braves Fan said:
I think,, JMO and hope I don't get banned for this comment ,,, he cut you a really bad frag of it ,, there are some vendors ,, who I don't buy from ,, unless its a WYSIWYG ,, Jason is one of them ,, and this frag he cut for you proves the reasoning that I live by when buying corals from certain vendors ,,, they haven't earned my trust ,, for them to cut me a nice representation of what ever coral frag I am wanting to acquire ,, unless its WYSIWYG ,, to many vendors sell this coral ,, look around for a better frag with more red in it ,,, chunk this piece ,,, its what I would do,, I wouldn't be happy about it ,,, buts its what I would do ,,,

I agree with your advice and I only buy wysiwyg frags regardless of the vendor. It is a stretch to say he got a bad frag without seeing the original frag though. You may be correct, but it is certainly not proven.

hart24601 · Mar 23, 2018

I would also cut it. They are tough so it's not a big deal to cut it and with these guys I doubt red will start appearing if the green has enclosed it.