Turkey Tail Colonized Agar Plate
Turkey Tail Colonized Agar Plate is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Description
Description
Fully colonized Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) agar plate, grown from our master culture and 1st-generation isolated genetics — the same strain we use in our Turkey Tail 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 Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Turkey Tail is one of the most extensively studied functional mushrooms in the world — both in modern research and in traditional herbal practices spanning centuries across Asia and Europe. The name comes from the species' distinctive fan-shaped fruit bodies with concentric color bands of brown, tan, gray, blue, and orange that genuinely resemble a turkey's tail in display. Known in Chinese as yun zhi (雲芝) — "cloud mushroom" — and in Japanese as kawaratake, this woodland polypore has become one of the cornerstones of modern functional mushroom practice.
Turkey Tail's compound profile is notable for:
- Polysaccharide-K (PSK / Krestin) — a beta-glucan compound that has been studied extensively since the 1970s, particularly in Japan where it was developed into a registered pharmaceutical preparation
- Polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) — a closely related compound studied since the 1980s, primarily in research originating from China
- Beta-glucans — the broader family of complex polysaccharides found in the fruit body and mycelium
- Triterpenes and sterols — additional bioactive compounds in the fruit body
Turkey Tail grows abundantly on dead hardwood across temperate forests worldwide, making it one of the most accessible wild functional mushrooms for foragers. For cultivators, it's also one of the most reliable and forgiving species to grow on supplemented hardwood substrate.
Our Turkey Tail Strain
Our Turkey Tail genetics are isolated from a verified Trametes versicolor source and refined for vigorous mycelium growth and reliable fruit body development. This is the same strain we use to produce the Turkey Tail in our Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta functional mushroom supplement (alongside Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris), 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.
Important context for Turkey Tail buyers: the species has many lookalikes in the wild (Stereum ostrea, Trichaptum biforme, and others) that can be easily misidentified. Working from a verified isolated T. versicolor culture eliminates that identification risk entirely.
Working with Turkey Tail on Agar
Turkey Tail mycelium has some distinctive characteristics on agar:
- Moderate growth speed — typically 10–14 days to full colonization at 70–75°F, faster than Reishi but slower than oysters
- Bright white, dense, fluffy mycelium with strong rhizomorphic patterns as it matures
- Sometimes develops light yellow-tan tint in mature regions, particularly at the edges — this is healthy and not contamination
- Robust and forgiving — Turkey Tail is one of the most contamination-resistant functional species, making it beginner-friendly within the functional category
Shatterproof Polypropylene Plates
Every Turkey Tail 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 white Turkey Tail mycelium (typically 90–100% coverage at ship time)
- 1st-generation isolated genetics from our master culture — verified Trametes versicolor, the same 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 Agar Plate
From one Turkey Tail 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. Turkey Tail colonizes grain in 14–21 days at room temperature.
- Transfer to supplemented hardwood — Turkey Tail fruits on hardwood substrates (supplemented sawdust, hardwood pellets, or whole oak/maple logs). 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 6–8 fresh plates to build a long-term Turkey Tail 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.
Turkey Tail Growing Characteristics
| Latin name | Trametes versicolor |
| Common names | Turkey Tail, Yun Zhi (雲芝), Kawaratake, Cloud Mushroom, Many-Zoned Polypore |
| Mycelium appearance | Bright white, dense, fluffy with strong rhizomorphic patterns; may develop yellow-tan tint at maturity |
| Colonization speed on agar | Moderate — typically 10–14 days at 70–75°F |
| Preferred grain | Rye or our 5-grain blend |
| Fruiting substrate | Supplemented hardwood sawdust (oak, maple, beech), hardwood pellets, hardwood logs |
| Block colonization time | 30–60 days on supplemented hardwood blocks before fruiting initiation |
| Fruiting temperature | 60–75°F (wide range, very forgiving) |
| Fruit body appearance | Fan-shaped polypore with concentric zones of brown, tan, gray, blue, and orange; thin, leathery texture |
| Culinary use | Not eaten as food — leathery texture; prepared as tea, tincture, decoction, or extract |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly within functional category — robust and contamination-resistant |
| 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 Turkey Tail specifically, our inspectors are trained to distinguish healthy yellow-tan mature mycelium 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.
The Cognitive Trifecta Connection
Turkey Tail is one of three ingredients in our Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta functional mushroom supplement, alongside Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris. We now offer all three of these culture strains as agar plates from the exact same genetics used in the supplement:
- Lion's Mane Black Agar Plate — the gold standard of nootropic functional mushrooms
- Cordyceps Militaris Hades 4212-A Agar Plate — premium strain bred for cordycepin content
- Turkey Tail Agar Plate (this product) — verified Trametes versicolor with PSK/PSP profile
This is a degree of vertical integration no other agar plate seller in the mushroom cultivation space can match. When you cultivate any of these three strains, you're working with the same proven genetics that go into our finished extracts.
Recommended Companion Products
- Turkey Tail Liquid Culture Syringe — same genetics, ready-to-inject format
- Grain Spawn Bags — for transferring your colonized agar to bulk
- Turkey Tail All-in-One Grow Kit — for fruiting from the same strain
- Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta Supplement — finished extract featuring Turkey Tail from this same strain
- Lion's Mane Black Agar Plate — companion Cognitive Trifecta culture
- Cordyceps Militaris Hades 4212-A Agar Plate — companion Cognitive Trifecta culture
- Browse All Colonized Agar Plates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this true Trametes versicolor, or a lookalike species?
This is verified Trametes versicolor — the species with the longest documented history of use in traditional preparations and the most extensively studied compound profile (PSK, PSP, beta-glucans). Turkey Tail has many lookalikes in the wild, including Stereum ostrea (false turkey tail), Trichaptum biforme, and various Trametes species that lack the same compound profile. Working from a verified isolated culture eliminates the identification risk that comes with wild foraging.
What's the connection to the Cognitive Trifecta supplement?
This Turkey Tail strain is one of three ingredients (alongside Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris) in our Myco Labs Cognitive Trifecta functional mushroom supplement. When you cultivate from this plate, you're working with the same commercial-grade material used to produce the Turkey Tail extract in the supplement. We now offer all three Cognitive Trifecta culture strains as agar plates — a degree of vertical integration between cultivation and finished supplements that no other agar plate seller offers.
Why is Turkey Tail not eaten as food?
Turkey Tail fruit bodies are very thin and leathery — they have the texture of dried plant material rather than the soft flesh of culinary mushrooms like oysters or Shiitake. They're not toxic, but they're essentially inedible in their raw form. Traditional preparation methods involve extracting the bioactive compounds through long simmering (decoctions), dual-extraction tinctures (alcohol + hot water), or producing dried powders and extracts. The same is true for most functional mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga, which are also too tough or bitter for typical cooking.
How do I prepare Turkey Tail tea or tincture?
For tea (decoction): break dried Turkey Tail fruit bodies into small pieces, simmer 1–2 oz of material in 6–8 cups of water for 1–2 hours, strain, and drink the resulting broth. For tincture (dual extraction): first soak chopped Turkey Tail in high-proof alcohol (vodka or grain alcohol) for 4–6 weeks, then strain. Take the strained mushroom material and simmer it in water for 1–2 hours. Combine the alcohol extract and the water extract in a 1:1 ratio. This captures both the alcohol-soluble and water-soluble compounds. Turkey Tail is also commonly ground into powder for use in capsules or added to coffee/smoothies.
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.)
My Turkey Tail plate is developing yellow-tan patches — is it contaminated?
Probably not. Healthy Turkey Tail mycelium often develops a light yellow-tan tint as it matures, particularly toward the edges of the plate. This is normal pigmentation, similar to what you see in mature Maitake and Shiitake. True contamination on Turkey Tail plates typically appears as: green or black mold with fuzzy texture, pink or orange bacterial sheen with sour smell, or wet slimy patches that spread rapidly. Turkey Tail is one of the most contamination-resistant species in our functional lineup, so contamination on this species is genuinely rare. If you're unsure, contact us with a photo and we're happy to evaluate.
Is Turkey Tail beginner-friendly?
For the functional mushroom category, yes — Turkey Tail is one of the most forgiving species we offer. The mycelium is aggressive and contamination-resistant on agar, it colonizes hardwood blocks reliably, and the wide fruiting temperature range (60–75°F) accommodates most home environments. If you're new to functional mushroom cultivation and want to start with something less demanding than Reishi or Cordyceps, Turkey Tail is an excellent choice.
Can I transfer this plate directly to a hardwood sawdust block?
Yes — many experienced cultivators skip grain spawn entirely and transfer agar wedges directly to sterilized supplemented hardwood sawdust blocks. Turkey Tail fruits on wood and grows well via direct agar-to-block transfer. Cut several small wedges from the colonized plate and distribute them throughout the block, then seal and incubate at 70–75°F. Colonization takes 30–60 days, after which the block can be initiated for fruiting at slightly cooler temperatures with fresh air exchange.
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. Turkey Tail 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 Turkey Tail specifically, please note that yellow-tan mycelial pigmentation is normal mature growth and not a defect — see our FAQ above about identifying healthy Turkey Tail mycelium.
Let customers speak for us
I think these are the best co2 boost bags on the market especially the price. More bang for your buck. My buds have been alot bigger, and alot more dense, stacking like a roll of silver coins! And alot more of a yield too! I will always use these co2 bags in every grow, they are definitely worth it! Unless you like fox tailed loose and airy buds!
These pellets work very well. Especially if you do no-low heat drying. Also helped,e save some that got soggy. I put a pinch of the pellets in the jar, and they dried up overnight.
These work, 2-3 per oz of dried mushrooms. Keeping them cracker dry.
Thank you for the fast shipping and awesome packaging! Love the insulated bags and ice packs! I am seeing some extremely aggressive growth in my sawdust bags after only 3 days! I have found my new spawn vendor! Please keep everything in stock! So hard to find good grain spawn these days without waiting a month.
I injected 2cc's into this 6 days ago, noticed first signs on day 4.
The unit came packed very well and easily assembled. My order did have an issue in that I was given a deficiency in the number of long screws I needed to complete the build. A quick email to customer service had my screws i the mail ASAP. Perfectly executed and best case scenario for an issue like this. SO far the unit operates as advertised and is a major upgrade to my home mycology process. I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a nice laminar flowhood but is not so inclined to design and build it from scratch. Components are well constructed and of good quality materials.
Super accurate. I use for each strand of research I do- a qc must!!!!
I inoculated on 3-18-26...fast forward to 6-1-26...I received my 28 quart monotub right on time..I took the cake out of the all in one grow bag best thing I could've done...I got to see how hyphae knots form them I got to see the primordia form..then I consulted with Midwest grow they said in two weeks I will have pins.. they were spot on..I'm extremely satisfied with this company best in the business...and now fruits...ty Midwest grow...
I injected about 3ccs of a liquid culture I had into this jar and within a day or two I could already see it expanding. It’s convenient that it comes with a stir bar already in the jar, make it easy to swirl around a couple times a day. I’m currently awaiting my agar results to determine if it’s 100% clean, but I don’t see any contamination. Highly recommend if you want to expand your LC and make it go further.
Have all the tools I need. Thanks, Midwest. I'm new to the world of fungi, but your help is appreciated.
I was getting alot of contam with northspore boomr bag strait garbage company. Contamination central at northspore almost everything contams. I tried a couple other companies then tried this blackcow. Its black gold Texas T the biggest dummy in the world will get massive flushes with this. The grain bags are awesome too and sterilized right. I went 14/14 on the grain bags. Midwest know what they are doing and even the packaging is next lvl everything double bagged. I only buy from midwest it's worth every cent
It's been several days since the Ecosphere arrived and I set it up, and I'm still amazed at all I got for the price: heater, fan, humidifier, two plug-in timers, two foil trays, and, of course, the five-tier tent with shelves and the plastic cover. Oh, and the LED light strip and the round air filters. It's everything I need right now, and I've started the growing process. It's a crazy good deal for the price. I'm new to mushroom growing, and I'm thrilled that I bought this setup as a start. Just plain wonderful.
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 🙏
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