The sporophytes grew in both culture systems during the whole study period, although there were differences in final size and biomass. The thalli, developed from both the direct and indirect method, were attached to the ropes through basal disks from which the fronds originated (Fig. 2). However, it was possible to observe that the basal disks were bigger, at least double in size, for the indirect compared to the direct cultivation method. No epiphytes or biofouling were seen during autumn and winter months; however, this situation changed during spring, starting in October, when the bryozoan Membranipora isabelleana became frequent on the distal portions of the fronds. At the end of the experiments, detachment of algae was scarce and the culture ropes were densely covered with sporophytes.