{"product_id":"red-reishi-colonized-agar-plate","title":"Red Reishi Colonized Agar Plate","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-product-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully colonized Red Reishi (\u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e) agar plate\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same strain we use in our Reishi liquid culture syringes, grow kits, and Myco Labs functional mushroom supplements. Each plate is produced fresh at our Illinois lab on standard malt extract agar (MEA), fully colonized before it ships, and ready to ship from inventory — usually within 1 business day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-callout mgk-callout-ships\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e✓ Usually Ships 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 held in inventory — ready to ship from our Illinois lab. Most orders ship within 1 business day; multi-item orders may take an additional 1–2 days to process.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Red Reishi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Reishi (\u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most revered functional mushrooms in traditional herbal practice, with a documented history of use spanning over 2,000 years in Asian wellness traditions. Known in Chinese as \u003cem\u003elingzhi\u003c\/em\u003e (靈芝) — \"spirit mushroom\" — and in Japanese as \u003cem\u003ereishi\u003c\/em\u003e, this striking lacquered-red polypore is prized for its unique compound profile:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTriterpenes (including ganoderic acids)\u003c\/strong\u003e — the bitter compounds responsible for Reishi's distinctive flavor, concentrated in the fruit body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeta-glucans\u003c\/strong\u003e — complex polysaccharides found throughout the mycelium and fruit body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGanoderma-specific proteins and peptidoglycans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReishi is fundamentally a wood-decomposing fungus, growing in nature on hardwood stumps and fallen logs. The fruit body is woody and inedible in the culinary sense — it's typically prepared as a tea, tincture, or extract rather than cooked as food. This makes it different from gourmet species in your lineup: you grow Reishi for the fruit body itself as raw material for preparations, or for the mycelium for laboratory and supplement applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Our Red Reishi Strain\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Red Reishi genetics are isolated from a true \u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e source — important because the Reishi market is rife with mislabeling and species confusion. Many \"Reishi\" products on the market are actually closely related species like \u003cem\u003eG. sessile\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eG. resinaceum\u003c\/em\u003e, or \u003cem\u003eG. tsugae\u003c\/em\u003e. Our master culture is verified \u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e, the species with the longest documented history of use in traditional preparations and the most extensively studied compound profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the same strain we use in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/mushroom-supplements\"\u003eMyco Labs functional supplements\u003c\/a\u003e, including our Cognitive Trifecta and individual Reishi formulations. When you grow from this plate, you're working with commercial-grade, supplement-validated genetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorking with Reishi on Agar\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReishi mycelium has some characteristics that set it apart from gourmet species like oysters or Shiitake:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlow but steady growth\u003c\/strong\u003e — Reishi colonizes agar in 14–21 days at 75–80°F, slower than oysters but faster than some other functional species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBright white mycelium\u003c\/strong\u003e when young, often developing a yellow-to-orange exudate (metabolic droplets) as it matures — this is healthy, not contamination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDense, almost felt-like texture\u003c\/strong\u003e at maturity — Reishi mycelium is one of the densest in cultivation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat-loving\u003c\/strong\u003e — Reishi prefers warmer temperatures than most cultivation species, both for colonization and fruiting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAntler vs. conk fruiting\u003c\/strong\u003e — by controlling CO₂ levels during fruiting, you can produce either antler-like branched forms (high CO₂) or classic flat conk forms (low CO₂)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShatterproof Polypropylene Plates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Red Reishi plate ships in a \u003cstrong\u003e90mm polypropylene Petri dish\u003c\/strong\u003e — not the standard polystyrene used by most agar sellers. Polypropylene flexes under impact instead of cracking, which means your plate arrives intact even after rough handling in transit. This is a meaningful upgrade: a cracked plate isn't just a damaged product, it's a contamination risk, since a crack breaks the parafilm seal and exposes the culture to airborne contaminants. We chose polypropylene specifically to eliminate that problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(The exception in our lineup is Lion's Mane, which uses clear polystyrene to maximize contrast against our specialty black agar.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne 90mm polypropylene Petri dish\u003c\/strong\u003e, parafilm-sealed for sterility during transit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e~18mL malt extract agar (MEA)\u003c\/strong\u003e — our standard formulation for functional species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully colonized\u003c\/strong\u003e with healthy Red Reishi 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 — verified \u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e, the same strain in our LC syringes, grow kits, and Myco Labs supplements\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 Red Reishi 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) to create grain spawn. Reishi colonizes grain in 21–28 days at 75–80°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransfer to supplemented hardwood\u003c\/strong\u003e — Reishi fruits on supplemented hardwood sawdust, hardwood pellets, or whole hardwood logs (oak, maple, beech). Many cultivators skip grain entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sawdust blocks.\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 5–8 fresh plates to build a long-term Reishi 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\u003cp\u003eNew to agar work? See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/blogs\/blog-1-growing-101-more\/how-to-use-agar-plates-for-mushroom-cultivation-2026-guide\"\u003egrain transfer tutorial.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRed Reishi 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\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Reishi, Lingzhi (靈芝), Reishi, Spirit Mushroom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMycelium appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright white, dense, felt-like; often develops yellow-orange exudate at maturity\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 14–21 days at 75–80°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 or our 5-grain blend\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruiting substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupplemented hardwood sawdust, hardwood pellets, oak\/maple\/beech logs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlock colonization time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–60 days on sawdust blocks before fruiting initiation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruiting temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75–85°F (warm-loving — unusual among cultivated species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruit body appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLacquered red-to-mahogany conks with white margin; antler forms with high CO₂\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot eaten as food — woody texture, bitter flavor; prepared as tea, tincture, or extract\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate — requires warm temps and CO₂ control for best fruit form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse category\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFunctional \/ traditional wellness — prized for triterpenes \u0026amp; beta-glucans\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\u003ePolypropylene — shatterproof, flexes under impact\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgar type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard malt extract agar (MEA)\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 for contamination before being approved for shipment — for Reishi specifically, our inspectors are trained to distinguish healthy yellow-orange mycelial exudate from contamination, since the two can look similar to untrained eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll agar plates are produced ahead of time and held in inventory — they are not made-to-order. Most orders ship within \u003cstrong\u003e1 business day\u003c\/strong\u003e of being placed. Multi-item orders (especially those including grow kits, grain spawn, or other made-fresh products) may take \u003cstrong\u003e1–2 additional business days\u003c\/strong\u003e to process so we can pack everything together. Orders placed Friday afternoon, weekends, or holidays ship the next business day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlates ship in insulated, padded packaging via USPS Priority Mail (typically 2–4 days in transit). 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 6–12 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\/red-reishi-liquid-culture-syringe-10cc\"\u003eRed Reishi Liquid Culture Syringe\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\/red-reishi-mushroom-grow-kit-5lbs\"\u003eRed Reishi All-in-One Grow Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — for fruiting from the same strain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestgrowkits.com\/collections\/mushroom-supplements\"\u003eMyco Labs Functional Mushroom Supplements\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/myco-labs\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — finished extracts made from this same genetics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/colonized-agar-plates\"\u003eBrowse All Colonized Agar Plates\u003c\/a\u003e\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\u003eIs this true Ganoderma lucidum, or a related species?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is verified \u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e — the species with the longest documented history of use in traditional Asian wellness practice and the most extensively studied compound profile. Many \"Reishi\" products on the market are actually related species (\u003cem\u003eG. sessile\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eG. resinaceum\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eG. tsugae\u003c\/em\u003e) that grow on different hosts and have different compound profiles. Our master culture is genetically verified \u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e, the same strain we use in our Myco Labs functional mushroom supplements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between antler and conk Reishi?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth forms come from the same mycelium — the difference is environmental. Under high CO₂ (poor air exchange), Reishi grows in antler-like branched forms. Under low CO₂ with good fresh air exchange, it forms classic flat lacquered red conks with white margins. Antler forms are visually striking and often used decoratively or in tinctures; conk forms are more traditional and produce larger biomass. Many cultivators intentionally start with high CO₂ to encourage antler form, then drop CO₂ to \"cap\" the antlers with flat tops — combining the best of both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy Reishi plate has yellow-orange droplets — is that contamination?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — this is healthy mycelial exudate, sometimes called \"metabolic droplets\" or \"guttation.\" It's a normal byproduct of vigorous Reishi metabolism and indicates the mycelium is actively growing and producing secondary metabolites. The droplets are amber, water-clear, or yellow-orange and are confined to specific spots on the surface. True contamination would appear as: green\/black mold with fuzzy texture, pink\/orange bacterial sheen with sour smell, or wet\/slimy patches that spread quickly.\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\u003eMost orders ship within 1 business day. Compare that to other agar plate sellers (including the larger names in the industry) who 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. Multi-item orders may take an additional 1–2 business days to process so we can pack everything together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do you use polypropylene plates instead of polystyrene?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePolypropylene plates flex under impact instead of cracking. A cracked plate isn't just damaged — it's a contamination risk, since the crack breaks the parafilm seal and exposes the culture to airborne contaminants. Polypropylene eliminates that problem entirely. The plates cost us more, but the result is that your culture arrives intact and uncontaminated. (Our Lion's Mane plates are the one exception — those use clear polystyrene to maximize visual contrast against our specialty black agar.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre these the same genetics as your Myco Labs Reishi supplements?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Every Reishi agar plate is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated \u003cem\u003eGanoderma lucidum\u003c\/em\u003e strain — the same genetics used to produce the Reishi in our Myco Labs functional supplements, including the Cognitive Trifecta formulation. When you cultivate from this plate, you're working with commercial-grade, supplement-validated material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I make Reishi tea or tincture from what I grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — that's one of the most common reasons home cultivators grow Reishi. Mature fruit bodies are typically harvested when the white margin closes up (no more active growth), then sliced and dried for storage. Dried Reishi is most commonly prepared as: a long-simmered decoction (1–2 hours, since the woody fruit body needs time to release compounds), a dual-extraction tincture (alcohol followed by hot water, since some compounds are water-soluble and others alcohol-soluble), or ground into powder for capsules. Reishi is not eaten as food due to its woody texture and bitter taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is Reishi cultivation different from gourmet mushrooms?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few key differences: (1) Reishi prefers warmer temperatures for both colonization and fruiting (75–85°F vs. 55–65°F for most gourmets); (2) Reishi fruit bodies are woody and not eaten as food — they're harvested as raw material for teas, tinctures, and extracts; (3) Reishi colonization on hardwood blocks takes 30–60 days vs. 2–3 weeks for oysters; (4) CO₂ control during fruiting determines whether you get antler or conk forms. The longer timeline and different end product attract a different type of cultivator — usually someone interested in functional wellness rather than culinary mushrooms.\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. Reishi tolerates refrigeration well, making it suitable for long-term genetic library storage.\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. For Reishi specifically, please note that yellow-orange exudate droplets are normal mycelial metabolism, not contamination — see our FAQ above about identifying healthy Reishi mycelium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Midwest Grow Kits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44595534266471,"sku":"AGRRS","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0690\/3699\/8759\/files\/Red_reishi_agar_with_mushroom.jpg?v=1789057547","url":"https:\/\/fernprairiemycosupplies.com\/products\/red-reishi-colonized-agar-plate","provider":"Fern Prairie Myco Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}