Solo Blob Kit
The first step into the blob adventure. Two Petri dishes, two sclerotia, and all the essentials to wake up your first Physarum polycephalum, subculture it once, and observe it for several weeks. No guided experiments ...
Everything you need to know
The first step into the blob adventure. Two Petri dishes, two sclerotia, and all the essentials to wake up your first Physarum polycephalum, subculture it once, and observe it for several weeks. No guided experiments — this is the kit to see if you like it.
What's in the box
- ×2 dormant sclerotia of your chosen strain — one to spare, just in case
- ×2 sterile Petri dishes: 1 × 60 mm (for waking up) · 1 × 90 mm (for growth)
- ×2 doses of lab-grade agar — 1 dose = 2 × 90 mm dishes (or 3 × 60 mm dishes), to be diluted in 55 mL of boiling water and poured to a depth of 4 mm
- ×10 g of organic French rolled oats, in an airtight bag
- ×3 precision tools: precision tweezers, simple spatula, wide spatula
- ×4 filter papers Ø 90 mm — to re-sclerotize your blob when you want to put it on pause
- ×1 printed protocol card — waking, maintenance, and dormancy, step-by-step
Included experiments: none
The Solo is for waking up and observing, not for experimenting — and that’s by design: at €18, it lets you meet the blob without selling you anything more. Its protocol card covers waking, maintenance, and dormancy, which is more than enough to fill several weeks of observation.
If you want to ask it questions rather than just watch it, the range increases based on the number of experiments: the Classic Blob Kit contains 2, the Discovery Blob Kit 4, and the Blob Lab Kit 8.
Why two dishes
The count is not arbitrary. The 60 mm is the right size for waking a sclerotium: it's small, food is close by, and the blob finds it quickly. The 90 mm is then used — either to subculture it when the first dish is full, or to wake the second sclerotium so you have two to observe in parallel. It’s up to you.
And with your 2 agar doses, you can repour these two dishes twice.
Choose your blob strain
- Major Tom — Our hero strain: the Physarum polycephalum sent to the International Space Station by CNES with Thomas Pesquet (2021). Bright yellow, vigorous network. Perfect for beginners.
- Australian Physarum polycephalum — An isolate of the same species, from the other hemisphere. Just as fascinating.
Same price, your choice — the strain does not change the price.
Who is this box for?
- Curious minds aged 7 and up who want to try without breaking the bank
- Parents looking for an original, budget-friendly science gift
- Teachers who want to test the blob independently before introducing it to a class
- Biology students who want a functional kit for a school project or thesis
- Science content creators who want their first timelapse
Our guarantees
- ✓ 100% wake-up guaranteed — if nothing happens after 7 days using the protocol, we will send you a replacement sclerotium, free of charge.
- ✓ Shipping within 24 business hours
- ✓ Cultivated in France
- ✓ 14-day withdrawal period according to the Terms of Sale
- ✓ Safe — Physarum polycephalum is not associated with any human infection in scientific literature and does not appear on any European regulatory list of hazardous biological agents. No allergens or toxicity are known to date.
- ✓ 2 doses of lab-grade agar — enough to repour your 2 dishes twice
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference with other kits?
Everything is counted in experiments: the Solo Blob Kit 0 (2 dishes) · the Classic 2 (4 dishes, coloring) · the Discovery 4 (9 dishes, + U-trap and optimal network) · the Lab 8 (19 dishes, + labyrinth, strain race, and Tokyo network, free delivery within France).
What if my blob doesn't wake up?
The box contains an extra sclerotium, specifically for this purpose. If both fail, send us a photo and we will send you a replacement sclerotium, free of charge. Complete troubleshooting guide.
At what age can you adopt a blob?
From age 7 with an adult, age 10 independently. There are no sharp objects in the kit.
Do I need extra equipment at home?
No. Just water and a spot at room temperature (19-25 °C). Everything else is in the box.
What should I do after a few weeks of observation?
Three options: re-sclerotize it to put it on pause, upgrade to an experimental kit, or order refills (agar, organic oats).
To go further
- How to wake up a blob sclerotium in 48 hours, step-by-step
- What is the blob? Neither animal, nor plant, nor fungus
- The complete lifecycle of Physarum
The first step into the blob adventure.
6 questions before you order
What if my sclerotia don't wake up?
Send us a photo of your attempts (dish + sclerotium), we send you a replacement sclerotium, free of charge. Your kit already contains at least one backup sclerotium for this very reason. 100% wake-up guaranteed.
What age is this kit for?
From age 7 with an adult, age 10 solo. Physarum polycephalum is not associated with any known human infection, and no allergens or toxicity are reported. Wash hands after handling. The real safety concern in the kit is the sharp tools, not the blob.
⏱️ How long will my blob live?
With regular subcultures on fresh agar, an active plasmodium lasts several months; without maintenance, a dish holds for a few weeks. You can then re-sclerotise it (induce dormancy): kept dry and away from light, it stays viable for at least a year, often much longer.
Is the material reusable?
Yes! Washable Petri dishes, stainless steel tools, keep-forever protocol sheet. You then only order agar refills and oats.
When will I receive my order?
Shipped within 24 working hours. EU delivery in 3 to 5 days by Chronopost International. Rate by weight: €17 (0-200g), €20 (201-600g), €25 (601-1,400g), €30 (1,401-2,000g).
What do I need at home?
Just tap water and a room-temperature spot (19-25°C). No special gear, no chemicals, no power outlet. The kit already contains everything: dishes, agar, oats, tools, protocol sheets.
