Advanced Agar Techniques

Sectoring, Isolation, Contamination Management & Lab-Level Agar Workflows
Live Online Demonstration | Private Stream + Discord Access
Instructor: Andrew Reed, Founder of Mossy Creek Mushrooms

Overview

Agar is where decisions are made.

This class begins with a brief review of agar fundamentals to get everyone oriented, then quickly moves into advanced techniques, equipment, and workflows used in real production and breeding labs. The focus is on reading plates, making intentional choices, and using agar as an active tool for strain development—not just a transfer surface.

This is where agar stops being “basic lab work” and starts becoming strain control.

Who This Class Is For

• Growers already comfortable with basic agar work
  
• Cultivators ready to clean, refine, or train cultures
  
• Labs dealing with contamination, instability, or scale
  
• Beginners who want to learn agar correctly from the start 

Beginners are welcome, but will be best served if they have taken our Mushroom Cultivation Basics mentorship or already possess basic lab skills.

What You’ll Learn

Quick Agar Foundations (Review)

• Media purpose and plate handling
  
• Transfer logic and contamination awareness 

Advanced Agar Techniques

• Reading sectoring patterns and what they indicate
  
• Isolating and stabilizing desirable traits
  
• Strain training using selective agar work 

Mass Plate Production

• Pouring large numbers of plates efficiently
  
• Using a peristaltic pump for consistency and speed
  
• Reducing fatigue, variability, and contamination risk 

Nutrition & Media Design

• Adjusting nutrients to influence growth behavior
  
• Media choices for cleaning, selection, or vigor
  
• Understanding signaling vs overfeeding 

Cleaning Up Cultures

• Salvaging valuable genetics
  
• Bacterial vs fungal contamination strategies
  
• Knowing when cleanup is viable—and when it’s not 

Lab-Level Workflow & Equipment

• Plate labeling and traceability
  
• Workflow design that scales
  
• Habits that reduce long-term failure 

What This Class Is Not

• Not just a beginner agar intro
  
• Not recipe-only instruction
  
• Not sterile theory without application 

Format & Logistics

• Format: Live online demonstration
  
• Date: August 1st
  
• Length: Full-day session
  
• Class Size: Limited for focused discussion
  
• Replay Access: 30 days included
  
• Discord Access: Included 

What You’ll Receive

• Advanced agar workflow notes and diagrams (PDF)
  
• Media and strain-training references
  
• Certificate of Completion (PDF)
  
• Access to the Private MCM Discord Server 

Important Notes

• Suitable for beginners through advanced growers, with prerequisites recommended
  
• Tickets are non-refundable
  
• Tickets transferable with 7 days’ notice
  
• Event access details sent a few days before class 

Reserve Your Seat

If you want cleaner plates, stronger cultures, and agar that actually does something for your operation, this class will change how you work at the bench.

Agar isn’t passive.
Let’s use it like it matters.