GMU:DIY Bio: doing things with biology/Niloofar Ghanavati/Growing Plasmodia/The third Idea of physarum project

Materials

Medium:
- 100 ml of distilled water
- 2g of agar
- oat flakes

Alternative Materials and Method for Growing Plasmodia

Larger and more vigorous plasmodia have been produced with this method. Use a large container such as a plastic food container or an ice chest. Into this large container place a small bowl. Drape paper towels over bowl so that edges of paper towel contact bottom of large container. Poor enough tap water into the large container to cover the bottom and to wet the edges of the paper towels. Also sprinkle water on dry paper towel that is over the top of the bowl. The water in the bottom of the large container should continue to wick up the paper towel keeping it moist but not soaking wet. Onto the top of the paper towel that is spread across the bowl, place the living plasmodium or sclerotium and place an oat flake nearby. Cover the large container (loosely if possible) and keep in the dark. At least once every two days or so (more frequently if growth is rapid) open container and lightly sprinkle plasmodium with water and add a few additional oat flakes near the advancing front of the plasmodium. To initiate sclerotium formation, allow to slowly dry over several days. To initiate sporangia formation, transfer section of paper towel with plasmodia to clean, moist paper towel (discarding older, oat containing paper towel). Keep moist and periodically briefly expose to light. DO NOT FEED. This is an attempt to starve the plasmodium and induce spore formation.