Top Tips for growing Physarum Polycephalum... - The Slime Mould Collective2024-03-28T19:11:16Zhttp://slimoco.ning.com/forum/topics/top-tips-for-growing-physarum?commentId=3917201%3AComment%3A22528&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMy cultures keep getting inva…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2018-05-02:3917201:Comment:396442018-05-02T21:33:44.007ZAndrea Whitsonhttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/AndreaWhitson
<p>My cultures keep getting invaded by actual molds-- despite the methods we have employed to try to keep them out. Is there a discussion thread on these issues or a FAQ?</p>
<p>My cultures keep getting invaded by actual molds-- despite the methods we have employed to try to keep them out. Is there a discussion thread on these issues or a FAQ?</p> I put a guide with pictures u…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2018-01-12:3917201:Comment:387042018-01-12T14:39:40.148ZJohn Robinsonhttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/JohnRobinson
<p>I put a guide with pictures up here also <a href="http://www.myxo.info/BB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31" target="_blank">http://www.myxo.info/BB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31</a></p>
<p>I put a guide with pictures up here also <a href="http://www.myxo.info/BB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31" target="_blank">http://www.myxo.info/BB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31</a></p> Agar powder is sold by many A…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2017-12-26:3917201:Comment:384032017-12-26T16:14:42.999ZJan-Maarten Luursemahttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/JanMaartenLuursema
<p>Agar powder is sold by many Asian supermarkets. Look for plastic sachets like <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71C5H6WOOkL._SL1000_.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this</a></p>
<p>I usually use 110 gram water with 2 gram agar powder. Bring to a boil and keep stirring for about two minutes. Let it cool a bit while still stirring, and then pour the agar over your substrate. Good luck!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Agar powder is sold by many Asian supermarkets. Look for plastic sachets like <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71C5H6WOOkL._SL1000_.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this</a></p>
<p>I usually use 110 gram water with 2 gram agar powder. Bring to a boil and keep stirring for about two minutes. Let it cool a bit while still stirring, and then pour the agar over your substrate. Good luck!</p>
<p></p> If you keep it on a glass pla…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2017-12-26:3917201:Comment:383042017-12-26T16:09:33.379ZJan-Maarten Luursemahttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/JanMaartenLuursema
<p>If you keep it on a glass plate with an aluminum rim, and fill the plate with agar, <a href="http://slimoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/substrate-experiment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it will be reluctant to crawl over the aluminum</a></p>
<p>If you keep it on a glass plate with an aluminum rim, and fill the plate with agar, <a href="http://slimoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/substrate-experiment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it will be reluctant to crawl over the aluminum</a></p> In my experience too, 2% agar…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2017-12-26:3917201:Comment:383012017-12-26T16:01:54.922ZJan-Maarten Luursemahttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/JanMaartenLuursema
<p>In my experience too, 2% agar works fine. I source it from an Asian supermarket, the kind that has no additives. Not laboratory grade, but by boiling it during preparation you get rid of most of the biological contaminants. For fun I tried flavored/colored agar too, which mostly works fine, although 'true' molds (dust molds as opposed to slime molds?) seem to mess up the candy agar faster. You'll find more about this…</p>
<p>In my experience too, 2% agar works fine. I source it from an Asian supermarket, the kind that has no additives. Not laboratory grade, but by boiling it during preparation you get rid of most of the biological contaminants. For fun I tried flavored/colored agar too, which mostly works fine, although 'true' molds (dust molds as opposed to slime molds?) seem to mess up the candy agar faster. You'll find more about this <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://medium.com/@slime_mold_Andi/slime-mold-andis-christmas-special-cc4744eaf816" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>For time lapses I keep the slime mold container under a hood with led-strip lighting that is always on. A laptop and a webcam attached to a tripod are part of the setup, and I use CandyLabs VideoVelocity software for the time lapses, which gives you great control over light, color, etc. I mostly shoot one frame every fifteen seconds, which at 30 frames per second gives you nice, slow movements with pulsations.</p> A Simple Method of Growing th…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2016-09-30:3917201:Comment:315222016-09-30T17:45:37.855ZHeather Barnetthttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/HeatherBarnett
<p align="center" style="text-align: left;">A Simple Method of Growing the Plasmodial Slime Mold</p>
<p>as recommended by a slimoco member</p>
<p><a href="http://www.buildingthepride.com/faculty/pgdavison/PHYSARUM%20culture%20for%20web.html" target="_blank">http://www.buildingthepride.com/faculty/pgdavison/PHYSARUM%20culture%20for%20web.html</a><br/></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: left;">A Simple Method of Growing the Plasmodial Slime Mold</p>
<p>as recommended by a slimoco member</p>
<p><a href="http://www.buildingthepride.com/faculty/pgdavison/PHYSARUM%20culture%20for%20web.html" target="_blank">http://www.buildingthepride.com/faculty/pgdavison/PHYSARUM%20culture%20for%20web.html</a><br/></p> Hi, I'm new to growing slime…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2016-02-13:3917201:Comment:291552016-02-13T22:38:17.736ZEmilie Pughhttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/EmiliePugh
Hi, I'm new to growing slime mound but really excited by the prospect of growing it. I ordered some myxomycetes culture and some oatmeal agar and some Petri dishes. It arrived with no instructions and I'm not sure how to get started.. The culture has arrived in small dried orange rectangles and I'm not sure how to activate it... Do I wet it? Do I place it on a bed of boiled up oatmeal ? How much oatmeal do I put in the dish? Just under the culture or all over the base of the Petri dish? Sorry…
Hi, I'm new to growing slime mound but really excited by the prospect of growing it. I ordered some myxomycetes culture and some oatmeal agar and some Petri dishes. It arrived with no instructions and I'm not sure how to get started.. The culture has arrived in small dried orange rectangles and I'm not sure how to activate it... Do I wet it? Do I place it on a bed of boiled up oatmeal ? How much oatmeal do I put in the dish? Just under the culture or all over the base of the Petri dish? Sorry for all the questions I've tried to find out this information online and no where seems it tell you about this beginning part.. I'd appreciate any tips. To avoid the contamination fo…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2015-01-19:3917201:Comment:224332015-01-19T16:53:13.462ZNaksupanhttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/Naksupan
<p>To avoid the contamination form mold, I found that the small and thin pieces of mushroom can be used for culturing the pet slime mold.</p>
<p>To avoid the contamination form mold, I found that the small and thin pieces of mushroom can be used for culturing the pet slime mold.</p> great thanks for the top tips…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2015-01-15:3917201:Comment:225282015-01-15T17:48:09.958ZRosiehttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/Rosie
<p>great thanks for the top tips.</p>
<p>I currently have mine in a tupperware container with a damp tissue and bits of wood and in a shoe box and in a drawer.</p>
<p>Do you know where to buy agar jelly by any chance?</p>
<p>I also have some that is not moving - is this likely to suggest its dead?</p>
<p>thank you</p>
<p>great thanks for the top tips.</p>
<p>I currently have mine in a tupperware container with a damp tissue and bits of wood and in a shoe box and in a drawer.</p>
<p>Do you know where to buy agar jelly by any chance?</p>
<p>I also have some that is not moving - is this likely to suggest its dead?</p>
<p>thank you</p> Hi Roger,
A petri dish contai…tag:slimoco.ning.com,2015-01-11:3917201:Comment:223402015-01-11T13:31:36.172ZHeather Barnetthttp://slimoco.ning.com/profile/HeatherBarnett
<p>Hi Roger,</p>
<p>A petri dish containing agar should hold enough moisture with a lid on (the agar will slowly evaporate without a lid). The container doesn't need to be airtight, most petri dishes allow some movement of air. The organism is aerobic but I don't know if it 'requires' oxygen. I've grown it in airtight containers without any problem, but usually use petri dishes as they're easy. My advice, to all Physarum growers, is to try different methods and observe behaviours - there's no…</p>
<p>Hi Roger,</p>
<p>A petri dish containing agar should hold enough moisture with a lid on (the agar will slowly evaporate without a lid). The container doesn't need to be airtight, most petri dishes allow some movement of air. The organism is aerobic but I don't know if it 'requires' oxygen. I've grown it in airtight containers without any problem, but usually use petri dishes as they're easy. My advice, to all Physarum growers, is to try different methods and observe behaviours - there's no better way to get to know and understand your pet slime mould than empirical experimentation!</p>
<p>Best, Heather</p>
<p>PS: I love the fact that you got your pet slime mould as a Christmas present :) Happy growing...</p>