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Post by WillyCKH on Aug 19, 2017 13:06:33 GMT -5
Hello all, I have tried cooking the mediums twice so far, but the agar is not working properly. I tried dissolving it with hot water when I mix the medium, but after cooking in the pressure cooker, the agar just hardened the bottom liquids but not the top. Any tips or should I get something better to gel the medium? Thanks in advance. Willy
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Post by lloyd on Aug 19, 2017 13:45:49 GMT -5
How much agar in how much water? Agar specifications? I put the agar directly into each bottle and pressure cook. How much cooking time?
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Post by WillyCKH on Aug 19, 2017 13:51:55 GMT -5
20 minutes at 15PSI, Agar agar powder sold as vegan gelatine I've tried putting agar in each bottle (first try), and mixing as whole (second attempt). I used 6g per Liter ratio. Thanks Lloyd
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Post by hackerberry on Aug 19, 2017 15:27:03 GMT -5
Carrageenan worked best for me in the past. Same as Lloyd, I added them directly into each bottle. Try Phytotech Labs.
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Post by lloyd on Aug 19, 2017 17:04:38 GMT -5
A111 Agar, Plant TC4 Micropropagation Grade - Gracilaria
I use this one from Phytotech: 7 grams per liter. Your's is probably not as good, try increasing the concentration.
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Post by WillyCKH on Aug 20, 2017 19:00:00 GMT -5
Problem solved, thanks everyone.
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Post by lloyd on Aug 20, 2017 22:29:28 GMT -5
Did you increase the concentration?
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Post by WillyCKH on Aug 20, 2017 23:01:02 GMT -5
Yes, increasing the concentration and stirring like a crazy person helped! Thanks Lloyd. Guess it is not as easy to use cheaper stuff.
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Post by lloyd on Aug 20, 2017 23:35:56 GMT -5
You shouldn't have to stir. I just put it into each bottle. Convection during heating should thoroughly mix the agar.
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Post by WillyCKH on Aug 21, 2017 15:07:17 GMT -5
Strangely, the jar that I didn't stir like a nut job didn't dissolve properly. I guess we should avoid cheap agar.
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Post by lloyd on Aug 21, 2017 15:58:48 GMT -5
The agar I use is a very fine powder.
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Post by pinhead on Aug 22, 2017 9:52:44 GMT -5
I had this problem when I started TC. It is not your concentration. Because the agar is solid, it settles on the bottom of the container and will solidify more there. When you take the containers out of the pressure cooker, give them a good swirl to evenly distribute the agar. When they cool, it should be solid throughout.
If you increase the concentration too much, the agar will be too solid and roots (particularly seedlings) will not be able to penetrate it.
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Post by WillyCKH on Aug 22, 2017 10:32:59 GMT -5
I had this problem when I started TC. It is not your concentration. Because the agar is solid, it settles on the bottom of the container and will solidify more there. When you take the containers out of the pressure cooker, give them a good swirl to evenly distribute the agar. When they cool, it should be solid throughout. If you increase the concentration too much, the agar will be too solid and roots (particularly seedlings) will not be able to penetrate it. Thank you, sir. Still learning lots here! Willy
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Post by lloyd on Aug 22, 2017 10:41:16 GMT -5
I never stir mine. I find the heating mixes the agar thoroughly by convection.
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