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- What do I need to start a slime mold culture?
All the necessary elements are given in the kit! You will just need a table or a desk, which is not to close from a window (slime molds don't like direct day light).
- What are the risks if I release a slime mold in nature?
Slime molds (Physarum Polycephalum) are a species found in nature. It plays there a « garbage collector » role in some ecosystems. It feeds on bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms and can be found in every continent for about 500 million years! Thus, it is harmless for its environment. Nevertheless, if you wish to end your culture, slime molds won't resist bleach. The other parts of our kit can be reused or recycled.
- How are your products delivered?
So far, we only work with one carrier (Colissimo). Our coverage area is France (overseas included) and members of European Union. Shipping fees are included in products prices.
- Can we eat slime molds?
There is no known toxicity to Physarum Polycephalum ; however, it has no known interesting gastronomical or nutritional properties. As precaution, we don't recommend ingestion of any element of our kit (slime mold, oat flakes, agar-agar or any other element of the kit).
- Can it feel pain?
Slime molds are unicellular organisms, they don't have a nervous system, distinct neural cells nor pain receptors. Therefore, it can't « feel » pain, distress or be self conscious.
- How long takes a slime mold to grow?
A sclerotium (dehydrated slime mold) on a substrate takes between 12h and 72h to wake up. Once awoken, it usually moves at the speed of 1cm/h and up to 4cm/h if very hungry.
- Which conditions have to be met to keep a slime mold in shape?
A slime mold needs to live on a moist environment and shouldn't be directly exposed to UV light. It is advised to look after your cultures daily to remove oat flakes not currently touched by a slime mold. You can then add new oat flakes. Looking after your cultures allows you to prevent bad molding from spreading as you remove molding flakes.
- Do I have to feed it every day?
It is advised to add some oat flakes once you cleaned your culture. If starving, a slime mold might enter reproductive phase and make spores (looking like thin black powder). In its natural environment, such a behaviour permits spores to be taken away by wind and allows a slime mold to colonize a new environment, where there will be possibly more food.
- Which strain do you have in your kit?
We currently use an american slime mold strain.
- What does a slime mold eat?
In nature, a slime mold feeds on bacteria, mushroom spores and other germs. In a culture, oat flakes are a fine source of food.
