Sorghum Agar Exploration Part 5 – Optimization Phase

Today we continue where we left off on part 4, as we are now on the optimization phase after doing several transfers of all sorghum test cultures. As a recap from part 4, i also added some Sorghum + LME ones (the 3 on the left row on first pic) to also see how that resulted.
Observations and notes for others that want to transition or test out.

Start with higher nutrient recipes when switching to a new agar nutrient as the mycelium is very likely inefficient at first at digesting such nutrient until various transfers after. So i recommend anything in the 13/15gs range per 500ml if switching to sorghum for the first few transfers.

After a few transfers and once you notice they are getting used to the ingredients, start lowering the recipe little by little. (Those plates are now 10gs sorghum per 500ml, and also just started colonizing some at 8gs as well)

What was perfect nutrient level at first will become too high nutrient once they adapt (thus the gradual lowering needed after). One of the signs could
Be the culture turning a bit tomentose from rhizo or getting too much fuzz.

The lme + sorghum mix seemeded to do good as well but since i see no added benefit but adds an extra step, i might just bin this idea and stay pure sorghum. (Used 3g LME, 4g sorghum, 0.5g yeast on that one)

Next step for me is to continue lowering the sorghum recipe til I find the sweetspot for each culture on my library (each culture even if they are all cubes, have diff nutrient density preferences for their optimal efficiency).

This is the same with LME etc., some of my cultures adore a very low LMEY recipe (such as 2.5gs or 3gs lme + yeast), others love 5gs and others love the “usual standard” of 7-7.5gs lme per 500ml.

In the end, culture optimization is a never ending process and to me, one of the most fun and fulfilling aspects of the game for me. I just love “nerding” out trying diff stuff.

Happy Sunday to all! And Mush Love!