Shiitake 3790 Colonized Agar Plate
Shiitake 3790 Colonized Agar Plate is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Shiitake 3790 Colonized Agar Plate
Description
Description
Fully colonized Shiitake strain 3790 (Lentinula edodes) agar plate, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same commercial-grade strain we use in our Shiitake liquid culture syringes and grow kits. 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 Shiitake Strain 3790?
Strain 3790 is one of the most respected commercial Shiitake genetics in the world. Originally developed for industrial-scale cultivation on supplemented hardwood sawdust, it has become the benchmark strain for serious gourmet growers because it consistently delivers:
- Vigorous, reliable fruiting — strain 3790 fruits readily across a wide temperature range, with less finicky environmental requirements than many wild or specialty Shiitake strains
- Dense, meaty caps with the classic dark brown color and characteristic radial cracking when grown under cooler conditions
- Strong yields per block — high biological efficiency compared to ornamental or wild-isolated strains
- Multiple flush capability — well-managed blocks can produce 2–3 flushes over several months
- Broad substrate compatibility — performs well on supplemented hardwood sawdust, hardwood pellets, and master's mix formulations
If you've worked with Shiitake before, strain 3790 is the genetics most commercial farms are using. If you're new to Shiitake, this is the strain we'd recommend starting with — it's forgiving while still delivering the dense, flavor-packed fruit bodies that make Shiitake one of the world's most prized culinary mushrooms.
Working with Shiitake on Agar
Shiitake mycelium behaves differently from oyster species on agar — and understanding this difference is the key to working with it successfully. Compared to fast-growing species like Blue or Pink Oyster:
- Shiitake is slower-growing on agar (typically 14–21 days to full colonization vs. 5–10 days for oysters)
- The mycelium develops a characteristic brown pigment as it matures — this is normal and expected, not a sign of contamination
- Mature plates often show raised, lumpy growth called "popcorn" or "primordia" formation, which is healthy Shiitake mycelium preparing to fruit
- The mycelium is dense and leathery rather than fluffy — harder to slice but very robust during transfer
This slower growth is part of why Shiitake takes longer to fruit than oysters — but the patience pays off in flavor and shelf life of the final product.
Shatterproof Polypropylene Plates
Every Shiitake 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 gourmet species
- Fully colonized with healthy Shiitake 3790 mycelium showing characteristic brown pigmentation (typically 90–100% coverage at ship time)
- 1st-generation isolated genetics from our master culture — the same commercial 3790 strain in our Shiitake LC syringes and grow kits
- 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 plate, you can:
- Transfer to grain — cut a small wedge of colonized agar and place it onto sterilized grain (rye, our 5-grain blend, etc.) to create grain spawn. Shiitake colonizes grain in 21–28 days at room temperature.
- Transfer directly to sawdust blocks — many experienced Shiitake growers skip grain entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sterilized supplemented hardwood sawdust, since Shiitake fruits on wood rather than grain
- 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 Shiitake 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.
Shiitake 3790 Growing Characteristics
| Latin name | Lentinula edodes |
| Strain | 3790 — commercial gold standard |
| Mycelium appearance | White when young, browning with age; dense, leathery, often "popcorn" textured |
| Colonization speed on agar | Moderate — typically 14–21 days at 70–75°F |
| Preferred grain | Rye or our 5-grain blend (for grain-to-block method) |
| Fruiting substrate | Supplemented hardwood sawdust (preferred), hardwood pellets, oak/sugar maple/beech logs |
| Block colonization time | 2–4 months on sawdust blocks (includes browning/maturation phase) |
| Fruiting temperature | 50–70°F (cooler temps produce the classic cracked-cap appearance) |
| Cap color | Light to dark brown; develops white radial cracks ("hua gu" or flower mushroom) when cool and dry |
| Difficulty | Intermediate — slower than oysters but very rewarding |
| Use category | Gourmet + functional (lentinan, eritadenine, vitamin D when UV-exposed) |
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 Shiitake specifically, our inspectors are trained to distinguish healthy mature browning 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
- Shiitake 3790 Liquid Culture Syringe — same genetics, ready-to-inject format
- Grain Spawn Bags — for transferring your colonized agar to bulk
- Shiitake All-in-One Grow Kit — for fruiting from the same strain
- Browse All Colonized Agar Plates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shiitake strain 3790 and why does it matter?
Strain 3790 is one of the most widely cultivated commercial Shiitake genetics in the world. It was developed and refined specifically for industrial-scale cultivation on supplemented hardwood sawdust blocks, where it has become the benchmark for vigorous fruiting, dense caps, and consistent yields. Most large-scale gourmet farms running Shiitake on sawdust blocks are using 3790 or closely related strains. If you've eaten commercially grown Shiitake in the US, there's a very good chance it was strain 3790.
My Shiitake plate is turning brown — is it contaminated?
Probably not. Healthy Shiitake mycelium develops a characteristic brown pigment as it matures — this is completely normal and expected. The browning often starts in patches and spreads across the plate. The mycelium may also develop raised, lumpy "popcorn" texture as it prepares to fruit. Both are healthy signs. True contamination on a Shiitake plate usually appears as: green or black mold spots with fuzzy texture, pink or orange bacterial sheen, or a sour/rotten smell. When in doubt, contact us with a photo — we're happy to evaluate.
Why does Shiitake take so much longer than oysters?
Shiitake is a wood-decomposing fungus adapted to slow growth through dense hardwood. On agar, it colonizes in 14–21 days vs. 5–10 days for oysters. On sawdust blocks, it takes 2–4 months to colonize and reach fruiting maturity vs. 2–3 weeks for oysters. The trade-off is worth it — Shiitake produces denser, more flavorful fruit bodies with longer shelf life than fast-growing species, and the cultivation process more closely mimics the natural ecology of the species.
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 liquid culture syringes and grow kits?
Yes. Every Shiitake agar plate is grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated strain 3790 — the same commercial genetics in our LC syringes and grow kits. Lab-tested, commercial-grade, and refined over multiple generations for vigor and yield.
Can I transfer this plate directly to a hardwood sawdust block?
Yes — many experienced Shiitake growers skip grain spawn entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sterilized supplemented hardwood sawdust blocks. This works especially well with strain 3790, which is bred for sawdust performance. Cut several small wedges from the colonized plate and distribute them throughout the block, then seal and incubate. Colonization takes 2–4 months, with a final 2–4 week "browning" phase before fruiting.
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. Shiitake is one of the more refrigeration-tolerant species in our lineup, making it well-suited 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 Shiitake specifically, please note that mature brown pigmentation is normal and not a defect — see our FAQ above about identifying healthy Shiitake 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!
