Red Reishi Colonized Agar Plate
Red Reishi Colonized Agar Plate is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Red Reishi Colonized Agar Plate
Description
Description
Fully colonized Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) agar plate, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same strain we use in our Reishi liquid culture syringes, grow kits, and Myco Labs functional mushroom supplements. 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.
Why Red Reishi?
Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is one of the most revered functional mushrooms in traditional herbal practice, with a documented history of use spanning over 2,000 years in Asian wellness traditions. Known in Chinese as lingzhi (靈芝) — "spirit mushroom" — and in Japanese as reishi, this striking lacquered-red polypore is prized for its unique compound profile:
- Triterpenes (including ganoderic acids) — the bitter compounds responsible for Reishi's distinctive flavor, concentrated in the fruit body
- Beta-glucans — complex polysaccharides found throughout the mycelium and fruit body
- Ganoderma-specific proteins and peptidoglycans
Reishi is fundamentally a wood-decomposing fungus, growing in nature on hardwood stumps and fallen logs. The fruit body is woody and inedible in the culinary sense — it's typically prepared as a tea, tincture, or extract rather than cooked as food. This makes it different from gourmet species in your lineup: you grow Reishi for the fruit body itself as raw material for preparations, or for the mycelium for laboratory and supplement applications.
About Our Red Reishi Strain
Our Red Reishi genetics are isolated from a true Ganoderma lucidum source — important because the Reishi market is rife with mislabeling and species confusion. Many "Reishi" products on the market are actually closely related species like G. sessile, G. resinaceum, or G. tsugae. Our master culture is verified Ganoderma lucidum, the species with the longest documented history of use in traditional preparations and the most extensively studied compound profile.
This is the same strain we use in our Myco Labs functional supplements, including our Cognitive Trifecta and individual Reishi formulations. When you grow from this plate, you're working with commercial-grade, supplement-validated genetics.
Working with Reishi on Agar
Reishi mycelium has some characteristics that set it apart from gourmet species like oysters or Shiitake:
- Slow but steady growth — Reishi colonizes agar in 14–21 days at 75–80°F, slower than oysters but faster than some other functional species
- Bright white mycelium when young, often developing a yellow-to-orange exudate (metabolic droplets) as it matures — this is healthy, not contamination
- Dense, almost felt-like texture at maturity — Reishi mycelium is one of the densest in cultivation
- Heat-loving — Reishi prefers warmer temperatures than most cultivation species, both for colonization and fruiting
- Antler vs. conk fruiting — by controlling CO₂ levels during fruiting, you can produce either antler-like branched forms (high CO₂) or classic flat conk forms (low CO₂)
Shatterproof Polypropylene Plates
Every Red Reishi 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 Red Reishi mycelium (typically 90–100% coverage at ship time)
- 1st-generation isolated genetics from our master culture — verified Ganoderma lucidum, the same strain in our LC syringes, grow kits, and Myco Labs supplements
- Lab-inspected for contamination before ship
- Produced fresh at Myco Labs (Illinois, USA)
How to Use Your Agar Plate
A single colonized agar plate is one of the most versatile tools in mushroom cultivation. From one Red Reishi plate, you can:
- Transfer to grain — cut a small wedge of colonized agar and place it onto sterilized grain (rye, our 5-grain blend) to create grain spawn. Reishi colonizes grain in 21–28 days at 75–80°F.
- Transfer to supplemented hardwood — Reishi fruits on supplemented hardwood sawdust, hardwood pellets, or whole hardwood logs (oak, maple, beech). Many cultivators skip grain entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sawdust blocks.
- Create liquid culture — transfer agar wedges into sterile liquid media to produce your own LC syringes
- Expand to more plates — divide one plate into 5–8 fresh plates to build a long-term Reishi genetic library
- Isolate strong sectors — pick the most vigorous growth and transfer it to a fresh plate to refine your genetics over generations
New to agar work? See our grain transfer tutorial.
Red Reishi Growing Characteristics
| Latin name | Ganoderma lucidum |
| Common names | Red Reishi, Lingzhi (靈芝), Reishi, Spirit Mushroom |
| Mycelium appearance | Bright white, dense, felt-like; often develops yellow-orange exudate at maturity |
| Colonization speed on agar | Moderate — typically 14–21 days at 75–80°F |
| Preferred grain | Rye or our 5-grain blend |
| Fruiting substrate | Supplemented hardwood sawdust, hardwood pellets, oak/maple/beech logs |
| Block colonization time | 30–60 days on sawdust blocks before fruiting initiation |
| Fruiting temperature | 75–85°F (warm-loving — unusual among cultivated species) |
| Fruit body appearance | Lacquered red-to-mahogany conks with white margin; antler forms with high CO₂ |
| Culinary use | Not eaten as food — woody texture, bitter flavor; prepared as tea, tincture, or extract |
| Difficulty | Intermediate — requires warm temps and CO₂ control for best fruit form |
| Use category | Functional / traditional wellness — prized for triterpenes & beta-glucans |
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 Reishi specifically, our inspectors are trained to distinguish healthy yellow-orange mycelial exudate from contamination, since the two can look similar to untrained eyes.
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
- Red Reishi Liquid Culture Syringe — same genetics, ready-to-inject format
- Grain Spawn Bags — for transferring your colonized agar to bulk
- Red Reishi All-in-One Grow Kit — for fruiting from the same strain
- Myco Labs Functional Mushroom Supplements — finished extracts made from this same genetics
- Browse All Colonized Agar Plates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this true Ganoderma lucidum, or a related species?
This is verified Ganoderma lucidum — the species with the longest documented history of use in traditional Asian wellness practice and the most extensively studied compound profile. Many "Reishi" products on the market are actually related species (G. sessile, G. resinaceum, G. tsugae) that grow on different hosts and have different compound profiles. Our master culture is genetically verified Ganoderma lucidum, the same strain we use in our Myco Labs functional mushroom supplements.
What's the difference between antler and conk Reishi?
Both forms come from the same mycelium — the difference is environmental. Under high CO₂ (poor air exchange), Reishi grows in antler-like branched forms. Under low CO₂ with good fresh air exchange, it forms classic flat lacquered red conks with white margins. Antler forms are visually striking and often used decoratively or in tinctures; conk forms are more traditional and produce larger biomass. Many cultivators intentionally start with high CO₂ to encourage antler form, then drop CO₂ to "cap" the antlers with flat tops — combining the best of both.
My Reishi plate has yellow-orange droplets — is that contamination?
No — this is healthy mycelial exudate, sometimes called "metabolic droplets" or "guttation." It's a normal byproduct of vigorous Reishi metabolism and indicates the mycelium is actively growing and producing secondary metabolites. The droplets are amber, water-clear, or yellow-orange and are confined to specific spots on the surface. True contamination would appear as: green/black mold with fuzzy texture, pink/orange bacterial sheen with sour smell, or wet/slimy patches that spread quickly.
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 Reishi supplements?
Yes. Every Reishi agar plate is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated Ganoderma lucidum strain — the same genetics used to produce the Reishi in our Myco Labs functional supplements, including the Cognitive Trifecta formulation. When you cultivate from this plate, you're working with commercial-grade, supplement-validated material.
Can I make Reishi tea or tincture from what I grow?
Yes — that's one of the most common reasons home cultivators grow Reishi. Mature fruit bodies are typically harvested when the white margin closes up (no more active growth), then sliced and dried for storage. Dried Reishi is most commonly prepared as: a long-simmered decoction (1–2 hours, since the woody fruit body needs time to release compounds), a dual-extraction tincture (alcohol followed by hot water, since some compounds are water-soluble and others alcohol-soluble), or ground into powder for capsules. Reishi is not eaten as food due to its woody texture and bitter taste.
Why is Reishi cultivation different from gourmet mushrooms?
A few key differences: (1) Reishi prefers warmer temperatures for both colonization and fruiting (75–85°F vs. 55–65°F for most gourmets); (2) Reishi fruit bodies are woody and not eaten as food — they're harvested as raw material for teas, tinctures, and extracts; (3) Reishi colonization on hardwood blocks takes 30–60 days vs. 2–3 weeks for oysters; (4) CO₂ control during fruiting determines whether you get antler or conk forms. The longer timeline and different end product attract a different type of cultivator — usually someone interested in functional wellness rather than culinary mushrooms.
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. Reishi tolerates refrigeration well, making it suitable for long-term genetic library storage.
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 Reishi specifically, please note that yellow-orange exudate droplets are normal mycelial metabolism, not contamination — see our FAQ above about identifying healthy Reishi mycelium.
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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!
