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How to Culture a Mushroom in an Agar

A number of medicinal or gourmet mushrooms can be grown commercially or for home use. While not quite as simple as starting plants from seeds or cuttings, it is possible to grow mushrooms without other fungi or bacteria contaminating the culture. It just takes some precautions. Agar, derived from seaweed, is one substance often used to culture mushrooms. Some growers make their own agar, but it can easily be purchased. The agar should be in test tubes or containers with the agar at a slant.

Things You'll Need

Bleach
Slanted tubes of agar
Fresh mushroom
Thin bladed knife
Alcohol lamp
Holding racks for test tubes and knife
Masking tape
Spray bottle with chlorine bleach solution (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Clean a sturdy table with hot soapy water in your clean lab or workroom. Spray it with a solution of 10 percent chlorine bleach and 90 percent water. The windows and doors should be closed to avoid contaminates from the outside.
- 2
  Place your agar tubes on a test tube rack or some other container that will hold them without allowing them to touch the table top.
- 3
  Light the alcohol lamp and run the knife blade through it several times. Place the knife on a holder that will keep the blade off the table top.
- 4
  Take a fresh mushroom and tear off a piece. Set the mushroom piece on the table, but do not allow the torn part to touch the table.
- 5
  Hold the agar tube horizontally with your left hand so the agar slant is upward. Remove the lid from the agar tube and hold both tube and cap in your left hand, then use your right to cut a tiny bit of mushroom with the sterile knife from the torn section of the mushroom. Carefully place the bit of mushroom on the agar.
- 6
  Sterilize the knife again, then repeat with another tube. Tighten the caps on the tubes, wrap a strip of masking tape around the caps and place them in a semi-dark area at 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You should see mushroom mycelium growing in a few days.

Nature