Get Your Own Blob To Grow Here!
Slime mold, scientifically known as Physarum Polycephalum, is a fascinating organism that exhibits unique behavior and has captured the attention of scientists and researchers worldwide. If you are interested in studying or experimenting with slime mold, here is a step-by-step guide on how to grow slime mold blobs like Physarum Polycephalum.
Materials Needed:
- Slime mold culture or spores
- Agar or oatmeal
- Petri dishes or containers
- Distilled water
- Plastic wrap or lids
- Incubator or a warm, dark place
Step 1: Prepare the Growth Medium
Slime mold requires a nutrient-rich medium to grow. You can use agar or oatmeal as the base for your growth medium. Follow the instructions included with the medium you purchased. If using agar, dissolve it in distilled water and sterilize it according to the instructions. If using oatmeal, cook it and let it cool down.
Step 2: Inoculate the Growth Medium
Once the growth medium is ready, transfer a small amount of slime mold culture or spores onto the medium. Spread it evenly using a sterile loop or a clean utensil. Make sure to handle the slime mold culture or spores with clean hands or sterilized tools to prevent contamination.
Step 3: Incubation
Cover the Petri dish or container with plastic wrap or a lid to create a humid environment. Place the dish in an incubator or a warm, dark place with a temperature between 20-25°C (68-77°F). Slime mold prefers darkness, so it's important to keep it away from direct light.
Step 4: Observation and Maintenance
Check on the slime mold regularly to observe its growth and behavior. Slime mold is known for its ability to navigate through mazes and find the most efficient routes. You can create simple mazes or patterns using agar or oatmeal to observe the slime mold's behavior.
Keep the growth medium moist by spraying it with distilled water if it starts to dry out. Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can lead to mold or bacterial growth.
If using a inert medium like plain agar, you can supplement nutrition by putting a flake of oatmeal on the edge of the blob growth. Only put 1 or 2 flakes initially. This will allow the blob to consume them before they become contaminated with a competing organism.
Step 5: Documentation and Analysis
Document the growth and behavior of the slime mold by taking photos or videos. Record any interesting observations or patterns. You can compare the growth of different slime mold cultures or experiment with different conditions to study their effects on slime mold behavior.
Step 6: Share and Multiply
Creating a new slime mold from an existing sample is fairly easy. Prepare a bed medium for the new sample. Use a small sterile probe, loop, or scalpel to remove a small tissue sample from the existing living blob. Move it to the center of the new medium bed. If using petri dishes and plain agar, you make take a small wedge with the agar that contains the tissue sample.
Step 7: Disposal
Once you have finished studying the slime mold or if you no longer wish to continue the experiment, it's important to dispose of the slime mold properly. Seal the Petri dish or container in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for 24 hours. Then it is safe to discard it in the trash. Do not release the slime mold into the environment, as it can be invasive and disrupt natural ecosystems.
Remember, growing slime mold can be a rewarding and educational experience. By following these steps and conducting careful observations, you can gain insights into the fascinating world of slime mold and maybe contribute to the scientific understanding of this unique organism. Be sure to checkout our all inclusive blob kit:
