Trial: Shiitake
Cloning Lentinula edodes from store-bought grocery specimens.
Progress Log
Start Date: 5-16-2026
Method: Core tissue sample moved to No-Pour Agar (Custom Corn Sugar & Yeast mix).
Quantity: 3 distinct plates.
5-21-2026: Growth is steady but slower than the Button or King Oyster. The mycelium is clean and white, just taking its time to conquer the new medium.
Group overview of the 3 Shiitake plates (Photo: 5-22-2026).
5-24-2026 (Update): Growth continues. Here is an overview of all 3 plates on Day 8.
Group overview of the 3 Shiitake plates (Day 8).
6-1-2026 (Update): The Shiitake plates are filling out nicely. Growth is consistent across all three samples, and the mycelium looks very healthy and clean.
Group overview of the 3 Shiitake plates (Day 16).
6-5-2026 (Update): Final check of the original clone plates. I chose Plate 3 (the strongest and cleanest) and transferred it to 2 new agar plates for further expansion and cleanup.
Final overview of clone plates before transfer (6-05-2026).
New transfers from Plate 3 to two fresh agar plates (6-05-2026).
6-10-2026 (Update): The first generation of transfer plates is looking great. Both plates are showing healthy, clean growth with no signs of contamination. The mycelium is established and moving well.
Healthy, clean growth on both transfer plates (6-10-2026).
6-16-2026 (Update): Continued success with the Shiitake transfers. All plates look clean with good growth across the agar. The culture is looking very stable.
Clean and healthy growth on the Shiitake transfer plates (6-16-2026).