Which kind of staining do you use? Trichrome stain? Alcianblue?

Alcianblue stains cartilage alone in blue due to proteoglycanes. Trichrome stains the collagen-part of cartilage. Collagen is also part of the connective tissue and will also be stained there.

Decalcification is only necessary, if sectioning is difficult.

Thanks a lot. I am going to try different sectioning procedures and will Report here :).