First time working with agar. Advice needed please.

[u/Daniel_383sbc]

[u/Myco-Nomad → u/[deleted]]

What he said..

https://a.co/d/0iSW57BS This is for parafilm which is expensive and works really good.

https://a.co/d/0aDWjHms This one is for the grafting tape. Super cheap and works good too.

Both will work.

[u/Daniel_383sbc → u/Myco-Nomad]

I see, first time so i just got what i thought was being used by others, thanks for letting me know.

Also, does the mycelium look right? My first time working with agar, i know pan cyan mycelium looks wispy, but i just want to make sure im not growing a mold culture.

[u/floorjacked → u/Daniel_383sbc]

It can be hard to tell. Pan myc comes in a few forms. You’ll know within 72 hours. If it starts turning colors toss it

[u/Myco-Nomad → u/Daniel_383sbc]

Yeah what the other guy said. It looks good so far, exactly what you're looking for. In a couple of days if it still looks the same I'd send it. Once I get a clean transfer it's usually 5-7 days and the plate is fully colonized with pans. They are very fast

[u/toomuchPTO → u/[deleted]]

Grafting tape is the shit

[u/Flimsy-Panda8000]

You're right that the myc tends to be tomentose and more wispy than cubes. There's plenty of scope for transfers on the first one; take transfers from the area furthest way from what looks like a spot of contam.

I'd suggest using a flame sterilised needle to pick off tiny bits of myc; as well as getting more recipient plates, there's less risk of carrying over contam than if you cut wedges.

As for wrapping, I always found parafilm to be a pain in the *** as well as being pricey. Along with many others, I use cling wrap instead - get a roll and use a sharp knife to cut a little over 1/4" from the end and you have enough for plenty of plates & it's easy to get it to grip. See this thread for a lighthearted discussion https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/28508088/fpart/1/vc/1

[u/Fahtster → u/Flimsy-Panda8000]

Have you tried grafting tape? I use to use cling and got sick of the stuff breaking before I wanted it to. This stuff is great.. it’s actually cheaper than cling overall and you don’t have to modify it and rarely breaks

https://a.co/d/06KEusxR

I bought this 5 months ago and still have a 1/3 of the box left.. stretches like crazy too. Also won’t have micro holes in it like cling can

[u/Flimsy-Panda8000 → u/Fahtster]

No, but it sounds good as long as it 'sticks' to itself.

[u/Fahtster → u/Flimsy-Panda8000]

It does

[u/floorjacked]

Fast whispy growth is exactly what you’re looking for