sus spore syringe

[ratis]

A friend of mine received a spore syringe a while ago. The syring itself contained fuzzy white blotches rather than the discrete specks one might expect in such a syringe. Being a total newbie to the world of mycology the friend went on to innoculate a couple jars (following the PF-tek closely). It's been three weeks since innoculation and no sign of any mycelial growth.

Was the syringe just a dud? It did sit around for a month (in the fridge) before use. In any event the whole thing looks like a bit of a flop.

On the plus side the jars still look free of any bacterial growth or other - seems like he had the sterile conditions thing down-pat. Thanks.

[naja naja]

I'd PM the person that sent u the syringe.

[Dirty Old Man]

It sounds like the syringe contained a liquid culture rather than spores.

[occidentalis]

Probably a liquid culture syringe containing mycelium as DOM says.

Three weeks is a while, but not unheard of. Particularly if the mycelium was old, it may take a while to warm up again, although on the other hand, it might be dead.

[spiders]

could be bacteria, or it could have just been that the spores germinated in the syringe water -happens sometimes.

[ratis]

Ahh well, back to the drawing board. I've got another syringe, same age + 3 weeks-ish, is there any way to distinguish btw an LC and a dud syringe. Don't want to hold a grudge if I noobed up a perfectly good gift.

***Never mind, dumb question. Eminently searchable. ***

Edited December 23, 2006 by ratis

[smogs]

liquid culture in syringes is actually better because they grow much faster and take hold better. The only problem is if they contain bacteria / cotton mould.

If this was the case the jar would be completely white and gross looking possible with a pale yellow dust (cotton mould) or have slimey gooey bits down the bottom (bacteria) easily within 3 weeks.

Wait another week or two and if it is no go I would say that whatever is in the syringe is most likely dead.