Cordyceps Militaris Hades 4212-A Colonized Agar Plate
Cordyceps Militaris Hades 4212-A Colonized Agar Plate is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Cordyceps Militaris Hades 4212-A Colonized Agar Plate
Description
Description
Fully colonized Cordyceps militaris strain Hades 4212-A agar plate, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same premium strain we use in our Cordyceps liquid culture syringes, grow kits, and Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta functional mushroom supplement. 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.
Unlike 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.
About Cordyceps Militaris
Cordyceps militaris is one of the most studied and culturally significant functional mushrooms in the world — and one of the most rewarding to cultivate. Unlike its more famous wild cousin Cordyceps sinensis (now reclassified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis), which grows only on insect larvae in Himalayan grasslands and cannot be commercially cultivated, C. militaris can be grown on plant-based substrates and produces the same key compounds — including cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine), the bioactive nucleoside that gives Cordyceps its traditional reputation.
Modern functional mushroom science has shifted nearly all serious work to C. militaris precisely because the wild collection of C. sinensis is ecologically unsustainable and the cultivated form delivers equal or higher cordycepin content. When you see a Cordyceps supplement on the market today, it's almost certainly C. militaris — and the quality is determined by the strain selection and cultivation conditions.
Why Strain Hades 4212-A?
Strain selection matters enormously in Cordyceps militaris. Different strains produce wildly different yields, fruit body characteristics, and cordycepin content. Hades 4212-A is selected and refined for three key performance characteristics:
- Vigorous orange fruit body production — Hades 4212-A produces dense clusters of bright orange "stromata" (the upright club-shaped fruit bodies) reliably under proper conditions, with strong coloration that signals high carotenoid and bioactive compound content
- Exceptional cordycepin content — Hades 4212-A is a strain bred for elevated cordycepin production in the fruit body, making it one of the top-performing strains for both hobby cultivators and small commercial operations
- Consistent fruiting behavior — well-managed jars or trays of Hades 4212-A produce predictable yields, which is essential for anyone doing serial production rather than one-off home grows
This is the same strain we use to produce the Cordyceps militaris in our Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta supplement, where consistent compound profile across batches is non-negotiable. When you cultivate from this plate, you're working with the same commercial-grade material we use in our extract production.
How Cordyceps Cultivation Differs from Other Mushrooms
Cordyceps militaris is cultivated very differently from every other species in our agar plate lineup — and understanding this difference is essential before you order. Unlike oysters, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Reishi, or Maitake, Cordyceps does NOT fruit on hardwood, sawdust blocks, or in monotubs. Instead:
- Fruits in glass jars or trays — typically wide-mouth quart or pint jars, or shallow plastic/glass trays
- Substrate is grain-based, not wood — typically white rice or brown rice supplemented with a peptone/yeast nutrient solution; some growers use millet, barley, or rye
- Requires light during fruiting — unlike most cultivated mushrooms which fruit in dark or low light, Cordyceps needs moderate ambient or indirect light (12-hour light/dark cycle is common) to produce the signature orange color
- Requires specific temperature control — colonization at 70–75°F, then fruiting initiation requires a drop to 65–68°F
- Requires CO₂ control — fresh air exchange triggers proper fruit body formation; sealed containers produce only mycelium without stromata
- Total cycle is 60–90 days — colonization (14–21 days) + maturation (14–21 days) + fruit body development (21–35 days)
If you've cultivated other mushroom species and are new to Cordyceps, plan on a learning curve. This isn't a "transfer to grain spawn, fruit in monotub" species — it's its own ecosystem with its own techniques. The reward is one of the most visually striking and culturally significant functional mushrooms you can grow at home.
Shatterproof Polypropylene Plates
Every Cordyceps plate ships in a 90mm polypropylene Petri dish — 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.
(The exception in our lineup is Lion's Mane, which uses clear polystyrene to maximize contrast against our specialty black agar.)
What You'll Receive
- One 90mm polypropylene Petri dish, parafilm-sealed for sterility during transit
- ~18mL malt extract agar (MEA) — our standard formulation for functional species
- Fully colonized with healthy Cordyceps militaris Hades 4212-A mycelium (typically 90–100% coverage at ship time; mycelium is white to light orange)
- 1st-generation isolated genetics from our master culture — Hades 4212-A, the same premium strain in our LC syringes, grow kits, and Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta supplement
- Lab-inspected for contamination before ship
- Produced fresh at Myco Labs (Illinois, USA)
How to Use Your Cordyceps Agar Plate
Because Cordyceps cultivation differs from other mushroom species, the use cases are a bit different too. From one Hades 4212-A plate, you can:
- Inoculate fruiting jars or trays directly — the most common path. Cut small wedges of colonized agar and place them onto sterilized, nutrient-supplemented rice substrate in jars or trays. Cordyceps colonization takes 14–21 days, with fruiting completion 4–8 weeks later.
- Inoculate liquid culture for serial production — transfer agar wedges into sterile liquid media (typically the same nutrient-supplemented broth used in fruiting jars) to produce LC syringes for inoculating multiple jars at once. This is the standard method for any production beyond hobby scale.
- Expand to more plates — divide one plate into 5–8 fresh plates to build a long-term Cordyceps genetic library and preserve the strain over time
- Isolate strong sectors — pick the most orange/vigorous growth and transfer it to a fresh plate. Cordyceps strain refinement is an active practice among serious cultivators since strain drift can reduce cordycepin content over generations.
Note: Grain spawn is generally NOT used for Cordyceps — direct inoculation from agar or LC to the final fruiting substrate is standard practice.
Cordyceps Militaris Hades 4212-A Growing Characteristics
| Latin name | Cordyceps militaris |
| Strain | Hades 4212-A — premium production strain |
| Mycelium appearance | White when young; develops orange/yellow pigmentation as it matures (this is normal and indicates active production of carotenoids and bioactives) |
| Colonization speed on agar | Moderate — typically 10–14 days at 70–75°F |
| Fruiting substrate | Nutrient-supplemented white or brown rice; some growers use millet or barley |
| Fruiting container | Wide-mouth quart jars, pint jars, or shallow trays — NOT monotubs or sawdust blocks |
| Colonization temperature | 70–75°F |
| Fruiting temperature | 65–68°F (slight cool-down triggers fruit body initiation) |
| Light requirement | Moderate ambient or indirect light during fruiting (12-hour cycle common); essential for orange color development |
| CO₂ requirement | Fresh air exchange during fruiting; CO₂ levels too high prevent fruit body formation |
| Full cycle | 60–90 days from plate to harvest |
| Fruit body appearance | Dense clusters of bright orange upright club-shaped stromata, typically 2–4 inches tall |
| Key bioactive | Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine); also adenosine, polysaccharides, carotenoids |
| Difficulty | Intermediate — different cultivation technique than other mushrooms, but well-documented |
| Use category | Functional / traditional wellness — one of the most-studied functional mushrooms |
Plate Specifications
| Plate size | 90mm Petri dish |
| Plate material | Polypropylene — shatterproof, flexes under impact |
| Agar type | Standard malt extract agar (MEA) |
| Agar volume | ~18mL |
| Seal | Parafilm M, lab-grade |
| Sterility | Poured and inoculated under HEPA-filtered laminar flow |
Sterility & Quality Standards
Every 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 Cordyceps specifically, our inspectors are trained to distinguish healthy orange/yellow mycelial pigmentation (which indicates good cordycepin production potential) from contamination.
Shipping & Handling
All agar plates are produced ahead of time and held in inventory — they are not made-to-order. Most orders ship within 1 business day of being placed. Multi-item orders (especially those including grow kits, grain spawn, or other made-fresh products) may take 1–2 additional business days to process so we can pack everything together. Orders placed Friday afternoon, weekends, or holidays ship the next business day.
Plates 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.
Recommended Companion Products
- Cordyceps Militaris All-in-One Grow Kit — pre-sterilized fruiting substrate with the same strain, ready to inoculate
- Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta Supplement — finished extract featuring Cordyceps militaris from this same strain (alongside Lion's Mane and Turkey Tail)
- Myco Labs Cordyceps Militaris Supplement - Same strains and 100% purity!
- Browse All Colonized Agar Plates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is strain Hades 4212-A and why does it matter?
Hades 4212-A is a premium production strain of Cordyceps militaris selected and refined for vigorous orange fruit body production and exceptional cordycepin content. Strain selection has an enormous impact on Cordyceps cultivation outcomes — different strains can produce wildly different yields, fruit body colors, and bioactive compound levels. Hades 4212-A is the strain we use to produce the Cordyceps militaris in our Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta supplement, where consistent compound profile across batches is essential. When you cultivate from this plate, you're working with the same commercial-grade material we use in our extract production.
What's the difference between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis?
They're different species with similar compound profiles. Cordyceps sinensis (recently reclassified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is the famous wild Cordyceps that grows only on caterpillar larvae in Tibetan plateau grasslands. It cannot be commercially cultivated and wild collection is ecologically unsustainable, which has driven prices to $20,000+ per pound for premium wild material. Cordyceps militaris, the species you're buying, can be cultivated on plant-based substrates and produces the same key bioactive compound — cordycepin — often at higher concentrations than wild C. sinensis. Modern functional mushroom science has shifted nearly all serious work to C. militaris, and virtually all Cordyceps supplements on the market today are C. militaris.
Why does Cordyceps cultivation require different equipment than other mushrooms?
Cordyceps militaris doesn't fruit on hardwood, sawdust, or in monotubs the way oysters, Shiitake, or Lion's Mane do. Instead, it fruits in glass jars or shallow trays on a nutrient-supplemented rice substrate, with moderate ambient light and good fresh air exchange. It also needs a temperature drop from colonization (70–75°F) to fruiting (65–68°F) and benefits from a 12-hour light/dark cycle during fruit body formation. If you've cultivated other mushrooms before, you'll need to rethink your setup for Cordyceps — but the equipment is simple (jars, rice, basic light source) and the technique is well-documented.
My Cordyceps plate has orange or yellow pigmentation — is that contamination?
No — this is healthy mycelium. Cordyceps militaris produces orange and yellow pigmentation as part of its normal metabolism, even on agar. These pigments are precursors to the bright orange color of the mature fruit bodies and are associated with active carotenoid and bioactive compound production. Strong orange pigmentation on a Cordyceps agar plate is actually a positive sign of strain vigor and health. True contamination would appear as: green/black fuzzy mold spots, pink/orange bacterial sheen with sour smell (different from healthy mycelial orange — bacterial contamination is wet and slimy), or wet patches that spread rapidly. If you're unsure, contact us with a photo.
How fast do these ship compared to other agar plate sellers?
Most 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.
Why do you use polypropylene plates instead of polystyrene?
Polypropylene 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.)
Are these the same genetics as your Myco Labs supplements?
Yes. Every Cordyceps agar plate is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated Hades 4212-A strain — the same genetics used to produce the Cordyceps militaris in our Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta supplement (alongside Lion's Mane and Turkey Tail). When you cultivate from this plate, you're working with commercial-grade, supplement-validated material — the same strain that delivers consistent cordycepin content batch after batch in our extract production.
Do I need grain spawn to grow Cordyceps?
Generally no — Cordyceps cultivation typically skips grain spawn entirely. The standard workflow is: agar plate → liquid culture (for serial production) OR directly from agar plate → fruiting jars/trays on nutrient-supplemented rice substrate. Grain spawn is the standard intermediate step for wood-fruiting species (oysters, Shiitake, etc.) because grain inoculates hardwood substrate efficiently, but Cordyceps fruits on grain-based substrate anyway, so the intermediate step is unnecessary.
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. For longer storage, transfer the culture to a refrigerated plate at 35–40°F, where it can stay viable for 6–12 months. Note: Cordyceps strains are prone to "strain drift" over many generations of transfer — periodically isolating strong orange-pigmented sectors and discarding less vigorous lineages helps preserve cordycepin content over time.
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. For Cordyceps specifically, please note that orange and yellow mycelial pigmentation is healthy and expected, not contamination — see our FAQ above about identifying healthy Cordyceps mycelium.
Let customers speak for us
Fast and easy colonization! These grain jars showed growth after just 10 days. My previous efforts with the all-in-one bags are taking MUCH longer but also working. Thank you Midwest Grow Kits 🙏
I love the people and the products. The people at MWGK clearly care about the integrity of the community they serve.
The monotub works amazing only had it a couple of weeks and about to have second harvest I used AIO grow bag for first flush and move to tub for second and its great not having to watch 24/7. Thanks Midwest
Four days after mixing grain, Select substrate, and the Midwest horse manure booster - the results speak for themselves.
It has everything you need for a fast, large flush success with fewer moving parts than a standard monotub. It is a surprisingly versatile option for more advanced students. Pic is 5 grain jar at 8 days. GT LM This is where I shop, now.
Rich, perfectly field-wet, sterile and it is perfect for those many varieties that won’t thrive quite as well in Bulk Substrate and Casing Mix, which I’ve seen as best for psilocybes/cyanescens. I’m using it for the first time with Lions Mane and King Trumpets. So far so good, 7 days and primordial and pins are starting to flourish. It drains better and is lighter than MGK’s Bulk Casing and Substrate. Great product.
Love the heater and how even and exact it heats. I set mine to 76 degrees and my room fluctuates from 64-75 and it holds solid at 75 degrees. I used a probe thermometer to double check the substrate level temp and its exactly 1 degree less than the heater setting. Another tip, I only needed to use the round monotub thermometer to check my humidity levels every so often. I would leave a filter disk on that hole instead of the thermometer. The only time it came in handy was after my first flush when humidity started to drop. I was able to use that gauge and check whether I needed to mist. Overall great kit and worth the money!
Ive bought mutiple jars before i came up with my own recipe, every jar produced healthy cultures, even if ones damaged in shipping they replace immediately, highly recommend
Very small chance that you get a contaminate you already had it and you’re either culture spores etc. their stuff is 100% sterile every time 100% of the time everything is viable never had a problem been shopping with them for sometime
It’s very good product and I highly recommend it to everyone.👏👏👏
I love my magnetic stir plate it works great for Liquid culture jars.
My bag had a slow start, but excellent finish. Oak Ridge.
Great product for my cannabis best deal around arrived fast thank you Midwest grow kits definitely will be purchasing again
So far it seems very sturdy and I will give another review after I fill her up. Im just getting started with this life changing hobby and this will hold up strong
It was a price commitment, however it equated to less than I would spend on most any DIY project. I decided to purchase it and have since done spore work, agar transfers to agar and grain, culture to spawn bag inoculations, cloming and prints all with a 0% contamination rate. I practice about as good a sterile technique as I can mustard, considering I perform all my work on my kitchen table. Im consistently amazed by how flawless everything has turned out since adding this to my operations. I consider it indispensable. Instead of the double sided tape provided, i purchased some plastic velcro tape from the Gnome Depot and use it to affix the pvc guards to the sides. When i am done, i have also made it so i can sandwich them together and store them one the front to protect that precious filter when not in use. If you can swing it, buy it. Takes the risk out of procedure. Im bummed i cheaped out on the stainless riser offered at a discount with purchase of the LFH. That would have been exceedingly useful, but I have since utilized a baking drying rack to much success. Now go forth and frolic in the dung!
