Hen of the Woods Mushroom Culture

Mushroom culture plates, also known as petri dishes, are used to cultivate mushrooms by providing a sterile environment for the growth of mushroom mycelium, which are the thread-like structures that form the vegetative part of the fungus.

To use a mushroom culture plate, one would typically follow these steps:

1. Prepare the culture medium: A nutrient-rich agar-based medium is prepared and poured into the petri dish. The medium may contain various additives such as sugars, minerals, and vitamins to promote the growth of the mushroom mycelium.

2. Inoculate the plate: A small piece of mushroom tissue, such as a spore or a piece of the mycelium, is placed onto the surface of the agar medium. The plate is then sealed with tape or parafilm to prevent contamination from outside organisms.

3. Incubate the plate: The inoculated plate is incubated at a specific temperature and humidity, depending on the mushroom species being cultivated. This allows the mushroom mycelium to grow and spread across the surface of the agar medium.

4. Transfer the mycelium: Once the mycelium has grown sufficiently, it can be transferred to a larger container or substrate, such as a bag or tray of sterilized grain or sawdust. This allows the mycelium to continue growing and eventually produce fruiting bodies.

By using mushroom culture plates to cultivate mycelium, mushroom growers can ensure that the culture is free of contaminants and that the resulting mushrooms are of a consistent quality.

Mushroom culture plates are typically stored in a sterile environment to prevent contamination. Here are some general guidelines for storing mushroom culture plates:

1. Store the plates in a clean, dry, and dark place, such as a refrigerator or incubator set to the appropriate temperature.

2. Label the plates with the date and type of mushroom culture, as well as any other relevant information.

3. Keep the plates sealed to prevent contamination. This can be done by wrapping them in plastic wrap or placing them in a sealed plastic bag.

4. Avoid stacking the plates on top of each other, as this can cause condensation to build up and increase the risk of contamination.

5. Check the plates periodically for signs of contamination or deterioration. If any plates appear contaminated, dispose of them immediately to prevent further contamination.

6. It’s also a good idea to periodically transfer the culture to fresh plates to prevent genetic drift or mutation. This can be done by carefully scraping a small amount of mycelium from the original plate and transferring it to a fresh plate using a sterile inoculation loop.

All of our culture plates are sterilized and made in a lab environment. We take great precautions to ensure your products are viable upon arrival. However, some contamination can occur with shipping damage.

When you receive any of our products, it’s best practice to set them aside for 4 to 7 days before using. Inspect the product regularly for signs of contamination and if you notice something, we’ve got you covered! 

All of our products come with our sterile guarantee. If something gets lost or damaged during shipping, we’ll replace it at our expense. Just contact us.