mangrove question

[Reallybigtoad]

This may be a dumb question but...

what happens when a mangrove shoot grows too tall? It seems like eventually they will raise above the light. How do you prune these?

I want to add one to my refugium that is already growing other macroalgae just for more diversity and a different look.

Any thoughts?

thanks in advance
-todd

 

[Anonymous]

Is this red mangrove we're talking about? Rhizophora mangle?

Nothing happens, its not "too tall" for itself, they're most commonly found 10-15 feet in height in their natural habitat. Suppose you cannot accomodate that height, your only option is to trim it back. Using a serrated knife or tool, make a small, shallow scar or two low on the main trunk. The repair hormone this damage causes also induces prop root formation. The allocation of growth energy/carbon to growing prop roots can slow the vertical growth on the main axis (trunk).

 

[Lynn]

what would happen if you just cut the top right off???

 

[Minh Nguyen]

what would happen if you just cut the top right off???

It just send up branches. My Mangrove tip died when it get too near my MH, but I got lots of side branches. (Lots=6)

 

[danmhippo]

They said you can train your mangrove like a bonsai. But mine haven't grow so much side branches for me to do so, yet.