A method and apparatus for growing silicon carbide crystals is provided. The apparatus includes a sublimation chamber with a plurality of spaced apart dividers that can direct the direction of silicon carbide crystal growth into passages between the dividers to form a plurality of silicon carbide crystal plates. The silicon carbide crystal plates can be used as seed crystals in subsequent sublimation steps in a manner that promotes the growth of silicon carbide crystals in different crystallographic directions to thereby terminate defect formation.