{"product_id":"shiitake-3790-colonized-agar-plate","title":"Shiitake 3790 Colonized Agar Plate","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mgk-product-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully colonized Shiitake strain 3790 (\u003cem\u003eLentinula edodes\u003c\/em\u003e) agar plate\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same commercial-grade strain we use in our Shiitake liquid culture syringes and grow kits. 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 Shiitake Strain 3790?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrain 3790 is one of the most respected commercial Shiitake genetics in the world. Originally developed for industrial-scale cultivation on supplemented hardwood sawdust, it has become the benchmark strain for serious gourmet growers because it consistently delivers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVigorous, reliable fruiting\u003c\/strong\u003e — strain 3790 fruits readily across a wide temperature range, with less finicky environmental requirements than many wild or specialty Shiitake strains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDense, meaty caps\u003c\/strong\u003e with the classic dark brown color and characteristic radial cracking when grown under cooler conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong yields per block\u003c\/strong\u003e — high biological efficiency compared to ornamental or wild-isolated strains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultiple flush capability\u003c\/strong\u003e — well-managed blocks can produce 2–3 flushes over several months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBroad substrate compatibility\u003c\/strong\u003e — performs well on supplemented hardwood sawdust, hardwood pellets, and master's mix formulations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you've worked with Shiitake before, strain 3790 is the genetics most commercial farms are using. If you're new to Shiitake, this is the strain we'd recommend starting with — it's forgiving while still delivering the dense, flavor-packed fruit bodies that make Shiitake one of the world's most prized culinary mushrooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorking with Shiitake on Agar\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiitake mycelium behaves differently from oyster species on agar — and understanding this difference is the key to working with it successfully. Compared to fast-growing species like Blue or Pink Oyster:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShiitake is \u003cstrong\u003eslower-growing on agar\u003c\/strong\u003e (typically 14–21 days to full colonization vs. 5–10 days for oysters)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mycelium develops a \u003cstrong\u003echaracteristic brown pigment\u003c\/strong\u003e as it matures — this is normal and expected, not a sign of contamination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMature plates often show \u003cstrong\u003eraised, lumpy growth\u003c\/strong\u003e called \"popcorn\" or \"primordia\" formation, which is healthy Shiitake mycelium preparing to fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mycelium is \u003cstrong\u003edense and leathery\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than fluffy — harder to slice but very robust during transfer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis slower growth is part of why Shiitake takes longer to fruit than oysters — but the patience pays off in flavor and shelf life of the final product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShatterproof Polypropylene Plates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Shiitake 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 gourmet species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully colonized\u003c\/strong\u003e with healthy Shiitake 3790 mycelium showing characteristic brown pigmentation (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 commercial 3790 strain in our Shiitake 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. Shiitake colonizes grain in 21–28 days at room temperature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransfer directly to sawdust blocks\u003c\/strong\u003e — many experienced Shiitake growers skip grain entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sterilized supplemented hardwood sawdust, since Shiitake fruits on wood rather than grain\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 Shiitake 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\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/news\/spawn-bag-grain-jar-guide-how-to-inoculate\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShiitake 3790 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\u003eLentinula edodes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3790 — commercial gold standard\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 when young, browning with age; dense, leathery, often \"popcorn\" textured\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 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 or our 5-grain blend (for grain-to-block method)\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 (preferred), hardwood pellets, oak\/sugar 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\u003e2–4 months on sawdust blocks (includes browning\/maturation phase)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruiting temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–70°F (cooler temps produce the classic cracked-cap appearance)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCap color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight to dark brown; develops white radial cracks (\"hua gu\" or flower mushroom) when cool and dry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate — slower than oysters but very rewarding\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 (lentinan, eritadenine, vitamin D when UV-exposed)\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 Shiitake specifically, our inspectors are trained to distinguish healthy mature browning 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=\"\/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\/shiitake-mushroom-grow-kit-5lbs\"\u003eShiitake All-in-One Grow Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/shiitake-grow-kit\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — for fruiting from the same strain\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\u003eWhat is Shiitake strain 3790 and why does it matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrain 3790 is one of the most widely cultivated commercial Shiitake genetics in the world. It was developed and refined specifically for industrial-scale cultivation on supplemented hardwood sawdust blocks, where it has become the benchmark for vigorous fruiting, dense caps, and consistent yields. Most large-scale gourmet farms running Shiitake on sawdust blocks are using 3790 or closely related strains. If you've eaten commercially grown Shiitake in the US, there's a very good chance it was strain 3790.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy Shiitake plate is turning brown — is it contaminated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProbably not. Healthy Shiitake mycelium develops a characteristic brown pigment as it matures — this is completely normal and expected. The browning often starts in patches and spreads across the plate. The mycelium may also develop raised, lumpy \"popcorn\" texture as it prepares to fruit. Both are healthy signs. True contamination on a Shiitake plate usually appears as: green or black mold spots with fuzzy texture, pink or orange bacterial sheen, or a sour\/rotten smell. When in doubt, contact us with a photo — we're happy to evaluate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"mgk-faq\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does Shiitake take so much longer than oysters?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiitake is a wood-decomposing fungus adapted to slow growth through dense hardwood. On agar, it colonizes in 14–21 days vs. 5–10 days for oysters. On sawdust blocks, it takes 2–4 months to colonize and reach fruiting maturity vs. 2–3 weeks for oysters. The trade-off is worth it — Shiitake produces denser, more flavorful fruit bodies with longer shelf life than fast-growing species, and the cultivation process more closely mimics the natural ecology of the species.\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 liquid culture syringes and grow kits?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Every Shiitake agar plate is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated strain 3790 — the same commercial 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\u003eCan I transfer this plate directly to a hardwood sawdust block?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — many experienced Shiitake growers skip grain spawn entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sterilized supplemented hardwood sawdust blocks. This works especially well with strain 3790, which is bred for sawdust performance. Cut several small wedges from the colonized plate and distribute them throughout the block, then seal and incubate. Colonization takes 2–4 months, with a final 2–4 week \"browning\" phase before fruiting.\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. Shiitake is one of the more refrigeration-tolerant species in our lineup, making it well-suited 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 Shiitake specifically, please note that mature brown pigmentation is normal and not a defect — see our FAQ above about identifying healthy Shiitake mycelium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Midwest Grow Kits","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44595534200935,"sku":"AGRSH","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0690\/3699\/8759\/files\/colonized_agar_shiitake.jpg?v=1789057546","url":"https:\/\/fernprairiemycosupplies.com\/products\/shiitake-3790-colonized-agar-plate","provider":"Fern Prairie Myco Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}