Some old books on micropropagation suggest the following tip (which some consider old-school). I've been told it works quite well if one doesn't have a hood with a HEPA filter.

One basically works near the flame of a burner (bunsen or alcohol), creating an upward current of hot air that prevents spores and bacteria from falling into the culture media. The flame should ideally be as near as possible from the media.

I say culture media, but you might as well use it when making a spore syringe from a print. The moments when you open the lid of your sterile flask are critical and this could aid a bit.

This works, of course, in addition to more general aseptic techniques, and the burner comes very handy for flame sterilizing tweezers, knives, needles, etc.

I ve used the kitchen oven door open on lowest settig before .
Does create a nice warm upward airflow .

Great idea. I will recommend this to a friend who grabbed some wild spores and wants to propogate.

Felnik I read on another board about that tek and used it despite some people saying that it would not decrease problems of mold. I tried with and without many times and I couldn't agree with you more - it was a staple of all my cultivation.

I use a homemade glove box. I always spray some Oust inside of it 30min prior the use and I never got any contamination.

Do you know this technique? I would like to give it a try.

Great technique, and easily implemented. Thank you for sharing.



Yes always a good call. A home made glove box is a simple and effective way of controlling contamination. Oust is cool, but if you can get your hands on an antimicrobial sanitiser, this should eleviate the threat of mold spores. Though if it's used too liberally, it could possibly also kill shroom spores

Peace

Macre

I think that using a glovebox with HEPA (at least for amateurs) is an exaggeration. Using this simple technique I've grown mycelium on 5 MEA petri dishes with no contamination.

ive had alot of wetspot problems(well over 50% of jars) but since i stated using a verm layer in the bottom and on top of the substarte it has been all good.


Im also building a glove box soon.

Most excellent!

Can add this to the list of apocalyptic lab techniques.

It's always nice not to be dependent on equipment or chemicals!

Cultivate Yeast -> Distill Rubbing Alcohol -> Gas Flame Lamp!!

I like techniques which can be created full-circle.