How to Perform an Agar Transfer

Agar transfers are a cornerstone of mushroom cultivation, but they often seem intimidating at first glance. The good news is that the process is much simpler than it looks. With just a steady hand and a clear approach, you can move a healthy piece of mycelium to a fresh plate and set yourself up for cleaner, stronger cultures.

Why Transfers Matter

• Refresh cultures: prevent overgrowth or drying out.

• Clean up mycelium: move away from contamination or isolate healthy growth.

• Multiply plates: one plate can become many for future projects.

What You’ll Need

• Agar plates (with healthy mycelium)

• A fresh plate to transfer onto

• A scalpel (or blade/exacto knife)

• Parafilm, plastic wrap, or grafting tape to seal plates afterward

• Gloves (recommended for steady handling)

Step-by-Step: Agar Transfers

Identify the Growth You Want

Look for clean, healthy mycelium to transfer, usually at the leading edge of growth.

Make the Cut

Use your scalpel to cut a small triangular wedge of agar. The triangular cut minimizes both the time and the number of times the blade touches the agar.

Lift the Wedge

Gently lift the triangular piece with the tip of your scalpel or blade.

Transfer to a Fresh Plate

Move the wedge to a new agar plate and place it flat against the surface with the mycelium side facing down. This is best practice for strong growth.

Seal the Plate

Close the lid and wrap the plate with Parafilm to keep it clean.

Tips for Success

• Do not overthink it: Transfers feel tricky at first, but get easier with practice.

• Keep movements steady and efficient to reduce exposure time.

• Triangular cuts are quick and reduce the risk of accidental scraping or slipping.

• Label your new plate right away so you do not lose track.

Conclusion

Agar transfers are less intimidating than they look.

With a steady hand and a little practice, you will be able to keep your cultures clean, healthy, and expanding one plate at a time.

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