Blue Oyster Colonized Agar Plate
Blue Oyster Colonized Agar Plate is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Description
Description
A fully colonized Blue Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus) agar plate, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same strain we use in our Blue Oyster liquid culture syringes and grow kits.
Each plate is produced at our Illinois lab on standard malt extract agar (MEA), fully colonized before it ships, and held in inventory rather than made to order, so it ships within 1 business day. Multi-item orders may take an additional 1–2 business days so we can pack everything together.
- 90mmPolypropylene dish
- ~18mLMEA agar
- 7–10 daysColonizes agar
- 45–65°FFruiting temp
- 1 dayShips within
Why growers pick Blue Oyster on agar
Blue Oyster is one of the most rewarding species to work with on agar. The mycelium is aggressive, fast-growing, and forms strong rhizomorphic patterns that are easy to evaluate on amber-colored MEA, which makes it ideal for:
- Learning agar transfers – mistakes are forgiving because the mycelium outpaces most contamination
- Building a genetic library fast – plate-to-plate expansion moves quickly
- Rapid grain spawn production – a good fit for high-turnover cultivation
- Cool-weather growing – Blue Oyster fruits at lower temperatures than most oysters
The deep blue-gray caps it produces in cool conditions also make it one of the most visually striking gourmet mushrooms to grow at home.
What's included
- One 90mm polypropylene Petri dish, parafilm-sealed for sterility during transit
- ~18mL malt extract agar (MEA), our standard formulation for gourmet species
- Fully colonized with white Blue Oyster mycelium (typically 90–100% coverage at ship time)
- 1st-generation isolated genetics from our master culture
- Lab-inspected for contamination before it ships
When your plate arrives
- Inspect it within 24 hours. Minor condensation on the lid is normal and harmless.
- Store it cool and dark. Keep the sealed plate at 55–70°F until you're ready to use it.
- Work clean. Open the plate only under a still-air box or laminar flow hood.
- Make your transfer. Cut a small wedge, about the size of a pencil eraser, and move it to grain, liquid media, or fresh agar.
Shipping and storage: plates ship in insulated, padded packaging via USPS Priority Mail (typically 2–4 days in transit), with a cold pack included at no additional cost in summer months (May–September) or to hot-climate destinations. A sealed plate stays viable for 60–90 days at 55–70°F, or 6–9 months refrigerated at 35–40°F.
What you can do with one plate
- Transfer to grain – place a wedge onto sterilized grain (rye, our 5-grain blend, etc.); Blue Oyster colonizes grain in 10–14 days under good conditions
- Make liquid culture – drop agar wedges into sterile liquid media to produce your own LC
- Expand to more plates – divide one plate into 8–10 fresh plates for a long-term genetic library
- Isolate strong sectors – move the most vigorous growth to a fresh plate to refine your genetics over generations
Shatterproof polypropylene plates
Every Blue Oyster plate ships in a 90mm polypropylene Petri dish rather than the standard polystyrene. Polypropylene flexes under impact instead of cracking — and a cracked plate isn't just damaged, it's a contamination risk, since the crack breaks the parafilm seal. Our Lion's Mane plate is the one exception: it uses clear polystyrene for contrast against black agar.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus (Blue Oyster) |
| Genetics | 1st-generation isolate from our master culture |
| Plate | 90mm polypropylene Petri dish, parafilm-sealed |
| Agar | ~18mL standard malt extract agar (MEA) |
| Sterility | Poured and inoculated under HEPA-filtered laminar flow |
| Mycelium appearance | Bright white, aggressive, strongly rhizomorphic |
| Colonization speed on agar | Fast — typically 7–10 days at 70–75°F |
| Preferred grain | Rye, our 5-grain blend, or supplemented hardwood |
| Fruiting substrate | Straw, hardwood sawdust, supplemented hardwood pellets, masters mix |
| Fruiting temperature | 45–65°F (cool-weather fruiter) |
| Cap color | Deep blue-gray when cool, fading to gray/tan in warmer temps |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly — among the most forgiving gourmet species |
| Shelf life (sealed) | 60–90 days at 55–70°F; 6–9 months at 35–40°F |
| Ships | Within 1 business day |
Sterility and quality
Every plate is poured, inoculated, and inspected at Myco Labs under HEPA-filtered laminar flow, sealed with parafilm immediately after inoculation, and incubated in a dedicated clean room until fully colonized. Each plate is visually inspected for contamination before it's approved for shipment — if it doesn't look right, it doesn't ship.
Same genetics, other formatsWant the strain ready to inject? The Blue Oyster liquid culture syringe carries the same genetics, and the Blue Oyster grow kit lets you fruit the same strain without any lab work.
FAQ
Is Blue Oyster a good species for beginners?
Yes — Blue Oyster is one of the most beginner-friendly gourmet species. Its aggressive growth outpaces most contaminants, and it accepts a variety of substrates (straw, hardwood, masters mix). If you're new to agar work or to mushroom cultivation in general, it's an excellent species to start with.
Can I use this plate to make grain spawn directly?
Yes — that's one of the most common uses. Under a still-air box or laminar flow hood, cut a small wedge (about the size of a pencil eraser) from the colonized plate and drop it into a sterilized grain spawn bag or jar. Blue Oyster typically colonizes grain in 10–14 days.
Are these the same genetics as your liquid culture syringes and grow kits?
Yes. Every Blue Oyster plate is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated Blue Oyster strain — the same genetics in our Blue Oyster LC syringes and grow kits.
How fast do these ship compared to other agar plate sellers?
Within 1 business day. Most agar plate sellers make plates to order, which can mean waiting 2–4 weeks for a plate to be poured, inoculated, and colonized. Ours are produced on a rolling schedule and held in inventory fully colonized. Multi-item orders may take an additional 1–2 business days so we can pack everything together.
Why do you use polypropylene plates instead of polystyrene?
Polypropylene flexes 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. Our Lion's Mane plates are the one exception: they use clear polystyrene for maximum contrast against black agar.
How long will the plate stay viable?
An unopened, parafilm-sealed plate stored at 55–70°F in a dark place stays viable for 60–90 days. Refrigerated at 35–40°F, it stays viable for 6–9 months.
What if my plate arrives contaminated or damaged?
We 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.
