Pre-Poured Sterilized Malt Extract Agar Plates (10-Pack)
Pre-Poured Sterilized Malt Extract Agar Plates (10-Pack) is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
Description
These pre-poured malt extract agar (MEA) plates come 10 to a pack, poured fresh in our lab and ready for spore germination, first transfers and contamination checks.
Each 90 x 15mm plate holds 20 mL of a balanced blend of light malt extract, yeast extract, locust bean gum and high-quality agar, sterilized at 18 PSI for 30 minutes and machine-poured in our clean room. Plates are sealed in polyolefin packaging and shipped quickly, so they arrive fresh instead of sitting on a shelf for weeks. MEA is the reliable baseline media most growers start on.
- 10Plates per pack
- 90 x 15mmPetri dishes
- 20 mLAgar per plate
- 18 PSI30 min sterilized
- 3–4 wksRefrigerated
360° view: healthy mycelium expanding across MEA, perfect for early-stage evaluation.
Why growers start on our MEA plates
- Reliable baseline – A balanced nutrient blend that makes early growth and contaminants easy to evaluate.
- Poured fresh – Made in-house and shipped quickly, not stored for weeks before they reach you.
- Consistent fills – Machine-poured at 20 mL per plate for uniform depth from plate to plate.
- Ready out of the box – No mixing, sterilizing or pouring.
- Easy to organize – Assorted plate colors help you track batches and freshness.
What's included
- 10 pre-poured, sterilized malt extract agar plates (90 x 15mm, 20 mL each), sealed in polyolefin packaging
- Assorted plate colors for tracking batches
How to use agar plates
- Work clean. Open plates only in front of a flow hood or inside a still air box.
- Inoculate. Add a small drop of spore solution or liquid culture, or a small piece of tissue, to the agar.
- Seal. Wrap the edge of the plate with lab poly film to keep out contaminants and moisture loss.
- Incubate. Watch for mycelium to spread across the surface.
- Transfer. Cut a clean wedge of the strongest growth with a sterile scalpel and move it to a fresh plate, grain jar, spawn bag or liquid culture.
Workflow tip: Many growers start spores on MEA, clean up with early transfers, then finish on Rapid Rhizo to showcase their final genetics. For the full walkthrough, read our 2026 guide to using agar plates.
Which agar plate should I choose?
Different agar recipes perform best at different stages — starting spores, cleaning cultures, spotting contamination and final showcase transfers.
| Agar type | Best for | Why growers use it | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular LME / MEA (this listing) | Spore germination, first plates, contamination checks | Reliable baseline media that makes early growth and contaminants easier to evaluate | Start here → first transfer |
| Rapid Rhizo | 2nd and 3rd transfers, clean isolation, showcase plates | Encourages aggressive, threadlike growth that's easy to select and preserve | After first clean-up → final transfers |
| Black MEA | High-visibility growth, photo-friendly plates, subtle sector spotting | Dark background makes mycelium edges, sectors and early contaminants stand out | Any stage, especially evaluation |
| Manure-enriched conditioning agar | Preparing cultures for bulk substrates, performance testing | Conditions cultures to richer media and shows how genetics behave on supplemented nutrition | Mid-to-late stage, after a clean culture |
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Myco Labs |
| Quantity | 10 plates |
| Dish size | 90 x 15mm |
| Fill | 20 mL per plate |
| Media | Light malt extract, yeast extract, locust bean gum, agar |
| Sterilization | 18 PSI for 30 minutes |
| Production | Cooled to about 145°F, machine-poured, UV-C sanitized, auto-capped and laser-labeled in our clean room |
| Packaging | Sealed in polyolefin packaging; assorted plate colors |
| Storage | Refrigerate; use within 3–4 weeks for best results |
Need fewer plates?Try the MEA 5-pack. Round out your agar setup with sterile scalpels, lab poly film and the rest of our agar tools and supplies.
FAQ
What's in your MEA plates?
A balanced blend of light malt extract, yeast extract, locust bean gum and high-quality agar.
How much agar is in each plate?
Each 90 x 15mm plate is machine-filled with 20 mL of agar.
How are the plates made?
The media is sterilized at 18 PSI for 30 minutes, cooled to about 145°F, then machine-poured, UV-C sanitized, auto-capped and laser-labeled in our clean room.
How should I store them?
Refrigerate the plates and use them within 3–4 weeks for best results.
Which plate should I start with?
Start spores or tissue on MEA, clean up with early transfers, then move to Rapid Rhizo for final transfers. Use Black MEA whenever you want extra contrast.
Is there a video on working with agar?
Yes. Watch our video on agar and agar slants, or read our 2026 guide to using agar plates.
Our Growing Experts Recommend
Products our growers commonly use with this item
