{"product_id":"lions-mane-colonized-black-agar-plate","title":"Lion's Mane Colonized Black Agar Plate","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-product-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully colonized Lion's Mane (\u003cem\u003eHericium erinaceus\u003c\/em\u003e) agar plate\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown on our specialty black agar in a 90mm polystyrene Petri dish. Made from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same strain we use in our Lion's Mane liquid culture syringes and grow kits. Each plate is produced fresh at our Illinois lab, fully colonized before it ships, and ready to use the moment it arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-callout mgk-callout-ships\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e✓ Ships Same or Next Business Day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnlike most agar plate sellers who make plates to order with 2–4 week lead times, our plates are colonized and ready to ship from inventory. Order by 2 PM CT, ships the same business day.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Black Agar for Lion's Mane?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLion's Mane mycelium is notoriously difficult to photograph and evaluate on standard amber-colored MEA — the white, cottony growth blends into the medium and makes it hard to spot contamination or assess vigor. We solved this by formulating a specialty \u003cstrong\u003eblack agar\u003c\/strong\u003e (our standard MEA recipe with food-grade activated carbon added). The pitch-black background makes the white Lion's Mane mycelium pop visually, so you can:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasily inspect for any sign of contamination (it shows up immediately against black)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvaluate growth vigor and rhizomorphic patterns at a glance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotograph your cultures clearly for documentation or sharing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdentify and isolate the strongest sectors when expanding to new plates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the same black agar formulation used by serious cultivators and research labs working with light-colored mycelium species — and it's why we chose Lion's Mane as the flagship species for the format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne 90mm polystyrene Petri dish\u003c\/strong\u003e, parafilm-sealed for sterility during transit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e~18mL black agar\u003c\/strong\u003e — our MEA formulation enhanced with food-grade activated carbon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully colonized\u003c\/strong\u003e with healthy, white Lion's Mane mycelium (typically 90–100% coverage at ship time)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1st-generation isolated genetics\u003c\/strong\u003e from our master culture — the same strain in our Lion's Mane LC syringes and grow kits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLab-inspected for contamination before ship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced fresh at Myco Labs (Illinois, USA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Use Your Agar Plate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single colonized agar plate is one of the most versatile tools in mushroom cultivation. From one plate, you can:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransfer to grain\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut a small wedge of colonized agar and place it onto sterilized grain (rye, our 5-grain blend, etc.) to create grain spawn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCreate liquid culture\u003c\/strong\u003e — transfer agar wedges into sterile liquid media to produce your own LC syringes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpand to more plates\u003c\/strong\u003e — divide one plate into 5–10 fresh plates to build a long-term genetic library\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIsolate strong sectors\u003c\/strong\u003e — pick the most vigorous growth and transfer it to a fresh plate to refine your genetics over generations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLion's Mane Growing Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mgk-spec-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eHericium erinaceus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMycelium appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite, cottony, coral-like rhizomorphic growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColonization speed on agar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — typically 10–14 days at 70–75°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreferred grain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRye, our 5-grain blend, or hardwood-supplemented grain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruiting substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardwood sawdust + bran, supplemented hardwood pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruiting temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60–70°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner-friendly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse category\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGourmet + functional (nootropic compounds)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlate Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mgk-spec-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlate size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90mm Petri dish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlate material\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolystyrene (clear, for maximum contrast against black agar)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgar type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack agar — MEA + food-grade activated carbon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgar volume\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~18mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParafilm M, lab-grade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSterility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoured and inoculated under HEPA-filtered laminar flow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSterility \u0026amp; Quality Standards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery plate is poured, inoculated, and inspected at Myco Labs under HEPA-filtered laminar flow. Plates are sealed with parafilm immediately after inoculation and incubated in a dedicated clean room until fully colonized. Each plate is visually inspected against the black background — where contamination is unmistakable — before being approved for shipment. If it doesn't look right, it doesn't ship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlates ship in insulated, padded packaging.  In summer months (May–September) or to hot-climate destinations, we include a cold pack at no additional cost. Inspect your plate within 24 hours of arrival — minor condensation on the lid is normal and harmless. Store in a cool, dark place (55–70°F) until ready to use; an unopened, sealed plate stays viable for 60–90 days at room temperature, or 6–9 months refrigerated at 35–40°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Companion Products\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/liquid-culture-syringes\/products\/lions-mane-liquid-culture-syringe-10cc\"\u003eLion's Mane Liquid Culture Syringe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lions-mane-liquid-culture\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — same genetics, ready-to-inject format\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grain-spawn\"\u003eGrain Spawn Bags\u003c\/a\u003e — for transferring your colonized agar to bulk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/spray-grow-gourmet-kits\/products\/lions-mane-mushroom-grow-kit-5lbs\"\u003eLion's Mane All-in-One Grow Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — for fruiting from the same strain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/agar-supplies\"\u003eAgar Supplies\u003c\/a\u003e — sterile plates, scalpels, parafilm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is black agar and why do you use it for Lion's Mane?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack agar is our standard malt extract agar (MEA) recipe with food-grade activated carbon added, which gives it a deep black color. We use it specifically for Lion's Mane because the species' white, cottony mycelium is very difficult to see and evaluate on standard amber-colored MEA. Against a black background, the mycelium stands out clearly — making it dramatically easier to spot contamination, assess vigor, and isolate strong sectors. The activated carbon is inert and doesn't affect mycelium health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast do these ship compared to other agar plate sellers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSame or next business day. Most agar plate sellers (including the larger names in the industry) make plates to order, meaning you wait 2–4 weeks after ordering for the plate to be poured, inoculated, and colonized. Ours are produced on a rolling schedule and held in inventory fully colonized, ready to ship the moment you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these the same genetics as your liquid culture syringes and grow kits?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Every agar plate we sell is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated Lion's Mane strain — the same genetics in our LC syringes and grow kits. Lab-tested, commercial-grade, and refined over multiple generations for vigor and yield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy 90mm plates instead of 100mm?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e90mm is the global standard for mycology agar work and provides the same working surface and yield as 100mm for all practical cultivation purposes. It also ships more efficiently and is the format used by most professional labs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long will the plate stay viable?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn unopened, parafilm-sealed plate stored at 55–70°F in a dark place stays viable for 60–90 days. For longer storage, transfer the culture to a refrigerated plate at 35–40°F, where it can stay viable for 6–12 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use this plate to make grain spawn directly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — that's one of the most common uses. Under a still-air box or laminar flow hood, cut a small wedge (about the size of a pencil eraser) from the colonized plate and drop it into a sterilized grain spawn bag or jar. Colonization typically completes in 14–21 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if my plate arrives contaminated or damaged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe guarantee every plate ships in clean, fully colonized condition. If you receive a contaminated or damaged plate, contact us within 5 days of delivery with a photo and we'll replace it free of charge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Midwest Grow Kits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44595533971559,"sku":"AGRLM","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0690\/3699\/8759\/files\/LionsMane_mushroom_black_Agar.jpg?v=1789057542","url":"https:\/\/fernprairiemycosupplies.com\/products\/lions-mane-colonized-black-agar-plate","provider":"Fern Prairie Myco Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}