Blue Xenia ( cespitularia )

[koda2007]

Hello, do any of you keep and propagate the blue xenia (cespitularia ). If so what have you found to be the best way of propagating it. I got mine about 4 month ago and have 3 new xenias by it spreading to the rock on which I placed the original. I did try 1 cutting but could not get it to attach and eventually lost it somewhere in the live rock.
Any advice / help would be gratefully appreciated.

[Catpicklesdog]

I've only got the common Xenia but when I accidentally ripped some off I glued it to a small piece of rock and put it in my sump where the water isn't as rough. Once it had taken, I moved it to my frag tank (Love Shack) where it grew and promptly sld it to my LFS.

[Reefscape]

Rubber bands are a great way to hold it onto a chunk of live rock rubble while it takes a hold..usually around a couple of days for it to grip the rock...dont put the band on too tight as it wil cause the xenia to split apart and too loose it will slip out from the band..you'll find a happy medium with it with practice..then place it in low flow area of the tank...

Hope that helps

Niko

[koda2007]

Thanks for the answers, I have propagated many types of xenia including bali, white pom pom and elongata. I am sorry I did not make my quetion clearer what I was trying to ask was what people found to be the best way. Compared to other xenia's, cespitularia is quite slow growing and in my limited experience seems to take a lot longer to attach.
Thanks again.

[Grins]

I have it. When I try to propogate it I'll most likely try this method: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135320

[Reefscape]

Propogating the blue is an easy one to do..the two best methods are the rubber band or glue..do it out of the water if it helps you better...some have had far better experience's using coral plugs rather than rock due to the flatter surface, makes it better for the frag to adhere too...

Niko

[koda2007]

Thanks Grins and Niko very helpful and appreciated.

I may be doing some serious fragging tomorrow. Have you found it to be a slower grower or is it just mine.

[Reefscape]

Personaly, i've not seen any difference in the growth rates...but, that could be just my perception of them...

Niko

[Grins]

Thanks Grins and Niko very helpful and appreciated.

I may be doing some serious fragging tomorrow. Have you found it to be a slower grower or is it just mine.


Mine is still fairly new in my tank but the man I got it from said it does grow much slower than the pompoms and such.

[scootrnerd]

my blue xenia grows faster than my pom pom xenia actually not sure why. and i use bridal vale for all my xenia frags