Mycelium WorksCultivation tools & knowledge
StageInoculationColonizationFruitingHarvestingProcessing
Spore & Culture

Agar Plate

A nutrient gel surface for isolating and cleaning cultures.

Illustration of a agar plate
Typical specifications
Dish size90 mm standard
Media recipesMEA, PDA, antibiotic agar
Pour temperature45 – 55 °C
Incubation20 – 25 °C
Growth to edge5 – 14 days
SelectionTransfer 2–4 mm of leading edge
Spore & CultureSmall batches

Overview

An agar plate is a petri dish filled with a nutrient gel that mycelium can spread across in two dimensions. It lets you see contamination immediately, cut out a clean leading edge of growth, and build a pure culture. Agar is the quality-control step that experienced growers build their whole workflow around.

Primary stage: Inoculation

Where it fits in the grow

Used to clean genetics, then transferred to grain or liquid culture.

Safety & handling

Agar plates that show green, black, or pink growth must be sealed and discarded — do not open them to inspect. Keep the taped side sealed at all times.

Practical advice

Always take your transfer from the outer leading edge of healthy growth, not from the centre where the mycelium is oldest and most likely to be spent.

Educational only. Mycelium Works does not sell this or any other product, and we receive no payment for listing it. Specifications vary by manufacturer — always follow the maker’s instructions and local regulations.
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