Sawdust Preservation Agar — 6-Pack

Sawdust Preservation Agar — Long-Term Strain Storage Made Simple

Sawdust Preservation Agar is purpose-built for storing your most valuable mushroom cultures for the long haul. By incorporating hardwood sawdust into the agar matrix, this medium provides a slow-release carbon source that sustains mycelium in a low-metabolic state for years — not months. If you have spent weeks isolating and perfecting a strain, this is how you protect that investment.

What's Included

6 pre-poured sterile agar cups (4 oz clear plastic cups with lids), ready for immediate use. Each cup features a firm agar surface embedded with fine hardwood sawdust particles.

Why Sawdust Preservation Agar?

• Extended shelf life — cultures can remain viable for 2–3+ years sealed and refrigerated, far outlasting standard agar types.
• Low-metabolic storage — the sawdust provides a slow-release carbon source that keeps mycelium alive without encouraging rapid growth or nutrient exhaustion.
• Protect your best genetics — bank your top-performing strains so you always have a clean backup ready to revive.
• Simple to revive — when you are ready, cut a wedge and transfer to fresh LME or PDA agar. Mycelium typically recovers within 7–14 days.

How to Use

1. Work inside a still air box (SAB) or in front of a laminar flow hood.
2. Wipe the cup lid and your tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
3. Inoculate the agar surface with spores, a tissue sample, or a culture transfer using a sterile scalpel or inoculation loop.
4. Replace the lid and seal the edge with parafilm.
5. Incubate at 21–24°C (70–75°F) and monitor for growth over 5–14 days.

Why Buy Pre-Made Agar?

• No pressure cooker needed — skip the hours of sterilization and guesswork.
• Consistent quality every time — precise nutrient ratios, proper gel firmness, zero batch variation.
• Sterile and ready to use — produced in our CFIA-licensed facility in Brantford, Ontario.
• No failed pours — no cracked cups, no condensation disasters, no wasted ingredients.
• Save time for what matters — spend your energy on transfers, isolations, and growing mushrooms.

Storage

Store sealed cups in the refrigerator (2–8°C / 36–46°F). Shelf life is 2–3+ years when kept sealed and refrigerated, thanks to the low-moisture sawdust formulation. Keep away from direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Inspect for contamination before use — discard any cup that shows unexpected mould or discolouration before opening.

Price Breakdown

• 6-Pack: $30.00 — just $5.00 per plate.
• Case of 60: $120.00 — only $2.00 per plate (60% savings).

Whether you need a handful for a single project or a full case for ongoing work, we have you covered.

Explore Our Full Agar Lineup

Use LME Agar or PDA for active culture work and isolations, then transfer your best performers onto Sawdust Preservation Agar for safe long-term storage. Pair with LME Carbon Agar when you need high-contrast selection before banking a strain.