GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

CULTURING MUSHROOM MYCELIUM ON AGAR MEDIA 99
Figures 80. Spores germinate according to the streaking pattern. A small portion is excised and transferred to
a new, nutrient agar-fihled petri dish.
ating symmetry of the gills. (See Figure 74.)A
single mushroom can produce from tens of
thousands to a hundred million spores!
I prefer to collect spores on plates of glass,
approximately 6 x 8 inches.The glass is washed
with soapy water, wiped dry, and then cleaned
with rubbing alcohol (isopropanol). The two
pieces of glass are then joined together with a
length of duct tape to create, in effect, a binding.
The mushrooms are then laid on the
cleaned, open surface for spore collection.After
12-24 hours, the contributing mushroom is
removed, dried, and stored for reference purposes.
(See Figure 15 .)The remaining edges of
the glass are then taped. The result is a glassenclosed
"Spore Booklet" which can be stored
at room temperature for years. Spores are easily
removed from the smooth glass surface for
future use. And, spores can be easily observed
without increasing the likelihood of contami-
Figure 81. Scanning electron micrograph of spores
germinating.
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