{"product_id":"pre-poured-sterilized-malt-extract-agar-plates-5-pack","title":"Pre-Poured Sterilized Malt Extract Agar Plates (5-Pack)","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n@keyframes mgkFadeInSoft {\n  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(10px); }\n  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }\n}\n#mgk-mea5 .b { font-weight: 600; }\n#mgk-mea5 .fade-in-video {\n  animation: mgkFadeInSoft 1.2s ease-out forwards;\n  opacity: 0;\n}\n\n\/* Video wrapper *\/\n#mgk-mea5 .video-wrap {\n  max-width: 650px;\n  margin: 28px auto;\n}\n#mgk-mea5 .video-shell {\n  position: relative;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  border-radius: 10px;\n  box-shadow: 0 10px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\n}\n#mgk-mea5 .video-shell video {\n  display: block;\n  width: 100%;\n  height: auto;\n}\n#mgk-mea5 .video-caption {\n  font-size: 14px;\n  opacity: 0.85;\n  margin: 8px auto 0;\n  max-width: 650px;\n}\n\n\/* Comparison Section *\/\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-wrap { margin: 10px 0 0; }\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; }\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table th,\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table td { padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; vertical-align: top; }\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table thead tr { background: #f5f5f5; }\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table td,\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table th { white-space: normal; word-break: normal; overflow-wrap: anywhere; }\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-table .highlight-row { background: #fffbe6; }\n\n#mgk-mea5 .compare-cards { display: none; }\n\n@media (max-width: 750px) {\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-table-desktop { display: none; }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-cards { display: block; }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-card {\n    border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;\n    border-radius: 10px;\n    padding: 14px;\n    margin: 12px 0;\n    box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);\n    background: #fff;\n  }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-card h3 {\n    margin: 0 0 8px;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    line-height: 1.25;\n  }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-row {\n    display: flex;\n    gap: 12px;\n    padding: 8px 0;\n    border-top: 1px solid #f0f0f0;\n  }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-row:first-of-type { border-top: none; }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-label {\n    flex: 0 0 45%;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    color: #333;\n  }\n  #mgk-mea5 .compare-value {\n    flex: 1;\n    color: #333;\n  }\n  #mgk-mea5 .highlight-card { background: #fffbe6; border-color: #f2e6a6; }\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"mgk-mea5\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003ePre-Poured Sterilized Malt Extract Agar Plates (5-Pack)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eFreshly Made Daily · Assorted Colors · Ideal for Spore Germination \u0026amp; First Transfers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- 360° VIDEO (TOP) --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"video-wrap fade-in-video\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"video-shell\"\u003e\u003cvideo preload=\"metadata\" playsinline=\"\" muted=\"\" loop=\"loop\" autoplay=\"autoplay\"\u003e\n      \u003csource type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/videos\/c\/o\/v\/06b94d07fbba4cbf93fdad9a92b6c146.mp4\"\u003e\u003c\/video\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"video-caption\"\u003e360° view: healthy mycelium expanding across MEA—perfect for early-stage evaluation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"video-caption\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGet reliable, repeatable growth with our \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eSterilized Malt Extract Agar (MEA Agar) Plates\u003c\/span\u003e. Each 5-pack is \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003efreshly poured and sealed the same day\u003c\/span\u003e, delivering the clean, consistent performance you want for \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003espore germination\u003c\/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003econtamination checks\u003c\/span\u003e, and \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003efirst transfers\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormulated with a balanced nutrient blend—including agar, malt extract, locust bean gum, and yeast extract—these plates support vibrant, healthy colonies from the very first plate. Unlike pre-poured agar that sits on shelves for weeks, our MEA plates are produced daily and sealed in polyolefin packaging to help lock in freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat’s Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003e(5) Sterilized MEA Plates\u003c\/span\u003e – pre-poured, ready-to-use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003e90mm polystyrene Petri dishes\u003c\/span\u003e (professional-grade)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eAssorted \/ color-coded plates\u003c\/span\u003e to help track batches and add visual clarity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eExcellent for spore germination\u003c\/span\u003e and early-stage culture work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eBalanced nutrition\u003c\/span\u003e for clean, steady mycelial expansion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eMachine poured\u003c\/span\u003e in a clean workflow for consistent fill and repeatable results\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eGreen, Blue or Pink colors\u003c\/span\u003e – Randomly chosen and helpful for organization and quick batch ID\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eStorage:\u003c\/span\u003e refrigerate and use within \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003e3–4 weeks\u003c\/span\u003e for best results\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLab-Poured Precision, Every Time\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of our agar plates are machine-poured in our clean room using advanced MediaPrep and MediaFill systems:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eSterilized\u003c\/span\u003e at \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003e18 PSI for 30 minutes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eDispensed\u003c\/span\u003e at \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003e25ml per plate\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eUV-C treated\u003c\/span\u003e, capped, and laser-labeled for accuracy and consistency\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhich Agar Plate Should I Choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDifferent agar recipes shine at different stages—starting spores, cleaning cultures, spotting contamination, and final “showcase” transfers. Here’s a quick guide:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003c!-- Desktop Table --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x: auto;\" class=\"compare-table-desktop\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"compare-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAgar Type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest For\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhy Growers Use It\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended Stage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"highlight-row\"\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eRegular LME \/ MEA\u003c\/span\u003e (This Listing)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eSpore germination\u003c\/span\u003e, first plates, contamination checks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable baseline media that makes early growth and contaminants easier to evaluate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eStart here\u003c\/span\u003e → first transfer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eRapid Rhizo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2nd \u0026amp; 3rd transfers, clean isolation, showcase plates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEncourages aggressive, threadlike growth patterns that are easy to select and preserve\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfter first clean-up → final transfers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eBlack MEA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh visibility growth, photo-friendly plates, subtle sector spotting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark background increases contrast so mycelium edges, sectors, and early contaminants stand out\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAny stage (especially when evaluating detail)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eManure-Enriched \/ Conditioning Agar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePreparing cultures for bulk substrates, performance testing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHelps “condition” cultures to richer environments and evaluate how genetics behave on supplemented media\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid-to-late stage (after clean culture)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- Mobile Cards --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-cards\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-card highlight-card\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRegular LME \/ MEA (This Listing)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eBest For\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eSpore germination, first plates, contamination checks\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eWhy\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eBaseline media for early evaluation and clean growth\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eStage\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eStart here\u003c\/span\u003e → first transfer\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-card\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRapid Rhizo\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eBest For\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003e2nd\/3rd transfers, isolation, showcase\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eWhy\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eEncourages aggressive, threadlike growth that’s easy to select\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eStage\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eAfter first clean-up → final transfers\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-card\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBlack MEA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eBest For\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eContrast\/visibility, photos, detail spotting\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eWhy\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eDark background makes growth edges\/sectors pop\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eStage\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eAny stage\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-card\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eManure-Enriched \/ Conditioning Agar\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eBest For\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eConditioning, performance testing on richer media\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eWhy\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eTests genetics on supplemented nutrition\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-label\"\u003eStage\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"compare-value\"\u003eMid-to-late stage\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eWorkflow tip:\u003c\/span\u003e Start spores on \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eMEA\u003c\/span\u003e to evaluate cleanliness, transfer clean sectors, then finish on \u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eRapid Rhizo\u003c\/span\u003e when you’re ready to showcase your strongest genetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Is Agar? How Do I Use It?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgar is a vital tool in modern mycology. Add a tiny amount of spore solution, tissue, or liquid culture to your plate and incubate. Within days, mycelium begins to spread—allowing you to select clean growth and separate it from contaminants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eUsing agar allows you to:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eIdentify and isolate\u003c\/span\u003e clean, strong genetics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eSpot contamination early\u003c\/span\u003e before it reaches grain or substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eImprove consistency\u003c\/span\u003e and reliability across grows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you’re a seasoned mycologist or just starting out, fresh MEA plates are one of the best foundations for successful culture work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/blogs\/blog-1-growing-101-more\/how-to-use-agar-plates-for-mushroom-cultivation-2026-guide\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eLearn more about using agar plates here\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=pnnOoNtJwG8\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"b\"\u003eWatch a video on agar and agar slants here\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Midwest Grow Kits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44595534692455,"sku":"AG5","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0690\/3699\/8759\/files\/Agar_5_Pack_2026_white_background_OG.jpg?v=1789057553","url":"https:\/\/fernprairiemycosupplies.com\/products\/pre-poured-sterilized-malt-extract-agar-plates-5-pack","provider":"Fern Prairie Myco Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}