Always use a new razor blade and throw it out the same day you start using it.

Start cutting a drawn-up softies at approx. 2 inches because that will be >3in when open

Try to make as smooth a cut as possible

If an area is drawn up (sort of cinched) then that’s a good place to cut it

If you are cutting these rather large pieces then you can expect $10, unless it’s attached. Then you might be able to get $15.

You typically do not see fresh cuttings for sale (at least 2-3 weeks of fragged growth in a tank prior to purchase is best).

Blot the cut area dry, which might take a while.

You can either glue it down or fix it to a rock with a toothpick (preferably a plastic toothpick since they do not degrade).

When using a toothpick, stick it through the base of the coral and then affix to a rock with a rubber band so that the cut side is being lightly pressed onto the rock.

For gluing, dab a bit on the coral and on the rock (not a ton of glue though, and be careful not to glue your fingers to anything), then stick it down and hold for atleast a couple of minutes.

Prior to gluing, try to pick a part of the rock to attach the coral so that the rock will sit flat in the tank or so that you can easily fit it in a crevice.