Carolina C-FERN Spores User Manual

C-F ern®Spores
Instructions
World-Class Support for Science & Math
To grow
C-Fern
®
• an appropriate growing environment
• a light source
• a medium
• spores
Growth and Development
Plant-growing systems can be easily adapted to provide adequate environmental conditions for
C-Fern
. To attain the optimum growth and
timing of development as indicated in
C-Fern
kits, cultures require adequate lighting and temperature control. If your temperature and lighting conditions differ substantially from that indicated, a test run should be carried out to determine when, under your conditions, specific developmental stages will be present for observation and manipulation. Two options, Culture Domes and Growth Pods, available through Carolina Biological Supply, are described. Note: When using either option, do not tightly seal the petri dishes (e.g., using Parafilm
®
).
Culture Domes (RN-15-6792)
Culture Domes, consisting of greenhouse trays covered with transparent humidity domes, regulate temperature and humidity, reduce contamination, and permit easy handling of a larger number of dishes. An illustration of a Culture Dome with an appropriate lighting stand is shown below.
Maintain your
C-Fern
cultures under continuous illumination using 40-W cool­white fluorescent light tubes at a distance of 45 cm or less from the cultures. Vary the distance between the lights and the Culture Dome to obtain a temperature near the 28°C optimum. Larger lighting stands will accommodate additional Culture Domes.
Remember: The correct temperature inside the Culture Dome is more important than a specific level of light.
©2003 Carolina Biological Supply Company Printed in USA
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Growth Pods (RN-15-6715)
The Growth Pod makes culturing
C-Fern
even easier, more reliable, cheaper, and faster by reducing needed space and allowing better control of culture temperature. When the optimum culture temperature of 28°C is difficult to attain using a Culture Dome, the Growth Pod can dramatically decrease culture time and increase yield.
A simple lighting fixture with a 6” dome and switch (e.g., a small clamp/utility light) and a 15-W screw-in fluorescent bulb are recommended. (These bulbs are long lasting, highly efficient, and feel only warm when left on continuously.) The light may be rested on small blocks (e.g., Legos
®
) on top of the acrylic lid, or suspended over the top of the lid. Adjust the height to achieve a temperature of 26–30°C within the pod. Small digital thermometers can keep track of the temperature.
The Growth Pod can hold enough petri dishes for a class of 30 or more (six stacks of five 60 × 15-mm petri dishes). As a result of stacking the petri dishes, cultures on the bottom may be developmentally behind those on the top. To minimize this, reverse the order of the stacks after 6–7 days.
For transport, zip the top of the pod closed to reduce temperature and humidity fluctuations.
utility light with 15-W flourescent bulb
1
/4” clear acrylic
box lined with aluminum foil
insulated 6-pac cooler
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