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Dabrit



Registered: 12/02/15
Posts: 523
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 7 months, 29 days
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Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique
#23965451 - 12/29/16 12:39 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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So I just made my very first agar transfers and holy shit balls it was way harder than I expected. Note to self don't get hopped up on caffeine prior to doing it my hands were super shaky.
I don't know if it's just because I'm working inside of a SAB instead of in front of a laminar flow hood or what but I found this to be the most difficult part of cultivation so far. I found it near impossible at times to get the small piece of mycelium to stick to the blade of the scalpel, my original plates look butchered as hell and obviously you can see I ended up cutting out a way bigger section than I intended.
Here take a look lol.

Anyone have any tips for making this a little easier in terms of technique? Or is experience and repetition the only way to get better at this? I feel like I just completed an open heart surgery.
-------------------- Psychedelics = True gateway to spiritual enlightenment and detachment from ones meat costume
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enlightenment
alchemist


Registered: 08/09/09
Posts: 1,647
Loc: Europe
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Dabrit] 1
#23965460 - 12/29/16 12:43 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Make some agar without nutrients and pour it in used dishes or containers or something like that. You do not have to sterilize that of course. Exercise with this. Cut out a few pieces inside a SAB. You will get used to the movement and cutting process.
It looks like you cut from a strange angle. Try to cut from 60-90° position (scalpel).
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NDStepp84
Stellar nuclear waste

Registered: 04/23/15
Posts: 4,956
Last seen: 2 months, 4 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Dabrit] 1
#23965466 - 12/29/16 12:45 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Cut all the way through the agar and scoop out a wedge of myc covered agar or spear it with the scalpel instead of just trying to remove the myc off the top of the agar.
--------------------
"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. -Robert A. Heinlein
Links and teks ND's grow log and discussion Plant thread
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mushboy
modboy



Registered: 04/24/05
Posts: 32,501
Loc: where?
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Dabrit] 1
#23965469 - 12/29/16 12:46 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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practice. just practice.
and just as long as your are clean, who cares if you butcher a plate?
i have shaky hands myself and i am not artistic with a brush or anything. make dummy petris to test your skillz. who cares if you waste a few cents worth of media? better then the precious cultures being man handled with trail/error.
i do 'dummy' shit all the time. even dummy monos to practice making even substrate layers without being paranoid about my spawn being over handled.
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NDStepp84
Stellar nuclear waste

Registered: 04/23/15
Posts: 4,956
Last seen: 2 months, 4 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: mushboy]
#23965478 - 12/29/16 12:50 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Looks like he's trying to cut the myc off the surface of the agar instead of cutting whole wedges out of the agar, that would be a PITA.
--------------------
"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. -Robert A. Heinlein
Links and teks ND's grow log and discussion Plant thread
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enlightenment
alchemist


Registered: 08/09/09
Posts: 1,647
Loc: Europe
Last seen: 9 months, 22 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: NDStepp84] 1
#23965484 - 12/29/16 12:52 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yes but I already told him in another thread that he should cut down to the bottom 
Dabrit What scalpel blade do you use? 11 is the most common for agar work. I also like to work with 12 sometimes.
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Terpfreak
❀Terpenes❀



Registered: 07/08/16
Posts: 1,065
Loc: Land Of Ooo
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: enlightenment] 1
#23965491 - 12/29/16 12:55 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Its all practice. Youll do fine in no time
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Th3Issu3
Stranger Danger


Registered: 12/30/14
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Loc: fucktown
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: enlightenment] 1
#23965502 - 12/29/16 01:00 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I cut sort of a triangular shape. Then go to the tip of it and slice under, kind of bringing it up at the same time.
I usually get a decent pizza shaped piece stuck to the scalpel. Then on the receiving plate, I use the scalpel that the piece is on and kind of cut into the agar. It usually leaves it perfectly on the plate.
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NDStepp84
Stellar nuclear waste

Registered: 04/23/15
Posts: 4,956
Last seen: 2 months, 4 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Terpfreak] 1
#23965511 - 12/29/16 01:03 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I shake like a chihuahua shitting a peach seed, bad nerves and surgery. Like he others said practice and don't worry about screwing up, you are only out like 10 cents a plate and if you do you can see it, that's what agar is for. Maybe limit the caffeine before transfers and pop a couple valarian.
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"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. -Robert A. Heinlein
Links and teks ND's grow log and discussion Plant thread
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mushboy
modboy



Registered: 04/24/05
Posts: 32,501
Loc: where?
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: NDStepp84]
#23965513 - 12/29/16 01:04 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
NDStepp84 said: a chihuahua shitting a peach seed.
i loled
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Dabrit



Registered: 12/02/15
Posts: 523
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 7 months, 29 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: enlightenment]
#23965537 - 12/29/16 01:14 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
enlightenment said: Make some agar without nutrients and pour it in used dishes or containers or something like that. You do not have to sterilize that of course. Exercise with this. Cut out a few pieces inside a SAB. You will get used to the movement and cutting process.
It looks like you cut from a strange angle. Try to cut from 60-90° position (scalpel).
Quote:
NDStepp84 said: Cut all the way through the agar and scoop out a wedge of myc covered agar or spear it with the scalpel instead of just trying to remove the myc off the top of the agar.
Quote:
NDStepp84 said: Looks like he's trying to cut the myc off the surface of the agar instead of cutting whole wedges out of the agar, that would be a PITA.
Quote:
enlightenment said: Yes but I already told him in another thread that he should cut down to the bottom 
Dabrit What scalpel blade do you use? 11 is the most common for agar work. I also like to work with 12 sometimes.
I did actually try cutting to the bottom of the plates I think I disturbed some adjacent agar which may cover up this in the pics, duly noted about the 60-90 degree angle for cutting I was like you said trying to cut too parallel to the surface of the agar. I held the scalpel like a pen not sure if that's correct either.
Enlightenment I'm using a Scalpel handle #3 with #11 blades. Here's a pic:
-------------------- Psychedelics = True gateway to spiritual enlightenment and detachment from ones meat costume
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filthyknees
no coincidence


Registered: 03/08/13
Posts: 6,283
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Dabrit]
#23965591 - 12/29/16 01:37 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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It's harder for me to transfer a thinly poured plate than a thicker poured plate. Cannot tell very well from your pics, they don't look near full so maybe try pouring more agar per plate.
-------------------- But if you're in a hurry, and really got to go If you're in a hurry, might have to find out slow That it's one thing to try and another to fly You get there quicker just a step at a time It's one thing to bark, another to bite The show ain't over till you pack up at night
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Dabrit



Registered: 12/02/15
Posts: 523
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 7 months, 29 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: filthyknees]
#23965656 - 12/29/16 02:02 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
filthyknees said: It's harder for me to transfer a thinly poured plate than a thicker poured plate. Cannot tell very well from your pics, they don't look near full so maybe try pouring more agar per plate.
Ok thanks for the tip.
-------------------- Psychedelics = True gateway to spiritual enlightenment and detachment from ones meat costume
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AK1000
Stranger



Registered: 06/06/16
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Dabrit]
#23965777 - 12/29/16 02:52 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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While we're on the topic... I got a side question: When cutting out a piece of agar with mycelium on it, when you go to put it on the new plate, do you like to make it face down (so the mycelium is facing down) or up or on its side or whatever the universe decides for you? Sometimes I have plates that don't grow for whatever reason and I'm wondering if it's related to that, or if I'm just not getting a big enough piece?
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filthyknees
no coincidence


Registered: 03/08/13
Posts: 6,283
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: AK1000] 1
#23965779 - 12/29/16 02:54 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Whatever side
-------------------- But if you're in a hurry, and really got to go If you're in a hurry, might have to find out slow That it's one thing to try and another to fly You get there quicker just a step at a time It's one thing to bark, another to bite The show ain't over till you pack up at night
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Dabrit



Registered: 12/02/15
Posts: 523
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 7 months, 29 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: AK1000]
#23965781 - 12/29/16 02:55 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
AK1000 said: While we're on the topic... I got a side question: When cutting out a piece of agar with mycelium on it, when you go to put it on the new plate, do you like to make it face down (so the mycelium is facing down) or up or on its side or whatever the universe decides for you? Sometimes I have plates that don't grow for whatever reason and I'm wondering if it's related to that, or if I'm just not getting a big enough piece?
Honestly all my time and effort was spent just being able to get the piece of mycelium onto the scalpel to begin with when making the transfer I honestly didn't give a shit which way it faced when I placed it onto the new plate.
This was my first time doing this though so I can't really comment if it matters or not. I doubt it. I'm sure someone else on here with more experience will be able to answer that for you
-------------------- Psychedelics = True gateway to spiritual enlightenment and detachment from ones meat costume
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mushboy
modboy



Registered: 04/24/05
Posts: 32,501
Loc: where?
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: AK1000]
#23965785 - 12/29/16 02:55 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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i just drop them and hope they land facing down. or i sloppily mash it in the agar.
but ive never had a transfer not take hold if it feel upside.. it gets all fuzzy and branches out anyway.
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Mycolorado
Hobbyist


Registered: 07/23/16
Posts: 8,557
Loc: Interdimensional Bootcamp
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: mushboy]
#23965827 - 12/29/16 03:14 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Face-down transfer is called "sandwiching" and is typically used to help isolate mycelium away from contams, the idea being that the sandwich will help impede the contam's progress while the mushroom mycelium grows out ahead for transfer.
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Dabrit



Registered: 12/02/15
Posts: 523
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 7 months, 29 days
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Mycolorado]
#23965872 - 12/29/16 03:33 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Mycolorado said: Face-down transfer is called "sandwiching" and is typically used to help isolate mycelium away from contams, the idea being that the sandwich will help impede the contam's progress while the mushroom mycelium grows out ahead for transfer.
-------------------- Psychedelics = True gateway to spiritual enlightenment and detachment from ones meat costume
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Intelligentxfruit
Earth Hippy


Registered: 01/06/13
Posts: 1,545
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Re: Looking for tips on agar transfers in terms of technique [Re: Dabrit]
#23965899 - 12/29/16 03:41 PM (7 years, 2 months ago) |
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I always try to cut rectangles, spear the rectangle favoring one end, the slide off using the longer end.
Think of the size like a piece of rice, spear one end, slide it off with the other
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