Questions we are asked
🐛 What is a sclerotium?
It is the dormant form of the blob. A small, dry crust in which the cell waits for water to wake up. Like a seed, but for a single-celled organism. Kept dry and away from light, it remains viable for at least a year, often much longer.
⏱ How long before my blob moves?
Using tweezers, dip the sclerotium in a little water, take it out, and shake it well — it should be rehydrated, not soaked. Place it on the agar, and wait. In general, the first signs appear in 24 hours on average at 20-25 °C, with a clear awakening within 48 hours: a bright yellow edge extending from the sclerotium. If nothing happens after 72 hours, follow the recovery protocol in your printed protocol sheet.
And no, you never water a blob: the agar is already moist. The initial soaking is the only time in the protocol that water is involved — and we shake it precisely so as not to add any to the agar.
🙏 What if it doesn't wake up?
Each kit contains 2 sclerotia specifically for this purpose. If both fail, we will send another one for free. 100% awakening guaranteed. Contact: hello@blobfarm.com
⚠ Is it dangerous?
No. Physarum polycephalum is not associated with any human infection in scientific literature, and it does not appear on any European regulatory list of hazardous biological agents. No known allergens or toxicity to date. It does not sting or bite: handling with bare hands is possible, with simple hand washing for hygiene.
That said, let's be honest about the real points of vigilance regarding the kit, which are not the blob:
- Molds: a contaminated box ends up in the trash; we do not sniff it and we do not keep it open.
- Dyes (Classic, Discovery, and Lab kits): laboratory-grade dyes — a blue E133 and a red E122 — used as visual markers to trace the blob's cytoplasmic flow. ⚠️ They are not intended to be consumed: a micro-drop is placed on the blob as part of the experiment, not on food.
- It is not for consumption, and the kit should be kept out of reach of very young children.
Note: no BlobFarm kit contains a scalpel or cutting tool. Cutting the blob, when it occurs, is done with a spatula.
Pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals: as a general precaution for any biological culture, ask your doctor for advice.
📦 Delivery times?
Shipping within 24 business hours. Metropolitan France: 48 hours (tracked letter or Mondial Relay), free delivery on orders over €60. European Union: 3 to 5 days via Chronopost International, rate based on weight (€17 to €30). No temperature constraints. Right of withdrawal: 14 days throughout the EU. See all rates.
🌞 What about the summer, in case of a heatwave?
Sclerotia are dormant — they handle the heat of a summer transit very well. You can order in July and wake it up in November, no problem.
🏠 How long will my blob live?
With regular transfers onto fresh agar, an active plasmodium can be kept for several months; without maintenance, a box lasts a few weeks. That's why the number of boxes matters when choosing a kit. You can then put it to sleep (sclerotize it): kept dry and away from light, it remains viable for at least a year, often much longer.
🐶 What about my pets?
No known toxicity for a dog or cat, and the blob emits no odor — they are not interested in it. Keep the boxes out of their reach anyway: it's mainly your culture you are protecting.
📸 How to film my blob?
A recent smartphone + a free timelapse app are enough. For sharper results, place the box on a matte black background: this eliminates reflections and makes the yellow of the plasmodium stand out.
🏫 Do you work with schools?
Our turnkey school programme is available for French primary schools only, aligned with the French Ministry of Education curriculum (Cycle 2 and Cycle 3). Teachers in other countries can order our standard kits individually — a Blob Lab Kit (€68) covers 8 experiments including the maze, the strain race, and the Tokyo network.
🚀 Is the blob I will receive the same one as Thomas Pesquet's on the ISS?
Yes — the Major Tom (LU352) strain we sell is exactly the same one sent to the ISS by CNES with Thomas Pesquet in 2021 (the "Raise your blob" educational operation). It's our hero strain: bright yellow, vigorous network, perfect for beginners. Read the full story of the Major Tom strain on the ISS
😴 My blob isn't waking up after 72 hours, what should I do?
72 hours without a yellow ring is abnormal. Check 3 points: firm agar (no free water at the bottom) · location at 19-25 °C in the dark · sclerotium well soaked but not drowned. If the 2 sclerotia in the kit have failed, write to us at hello@blobfarm.com with a photo, and we will send you another one for free (100% awakening guaranteed). Complete troubleshooting guide
🐾 Can the blob be a real pet?
Yes, provided you accept that it doesn't meow and lives in a Petri dish. It recognizes you by your fingers (chemical), not by your voice. Maintenance 5 min/week, annual cost ~€15-25 in refills, no health risk. Much less hassle than a goldfish. Adopting a blob as a pet
🧬 Which strain to choose: Major Tom or Australian?
Major Tom (ISS/CNES strain) if it's your 1st time or a gift — reliable awakening, bright yellow, space history. Australian if you want to compare 2 lineages of the same species, for collectors. Same price, free choice. The Blob Lab Kit includes both strains automatically for the strain race. Complete comparative guide of the 2 strains
🍄 Are the blob and the mushroom the same thing?
No — that's actually a famous confusion. A mushroom grows toward its food (filamentous mycelium, rigid membrane). A blob gets there by crawling, then dismantles the path to go elsewhere (giant single cell, no wall). No evolutionary relationship. The 7 differences between a blob and a mushroom
🍽 Is the blob edible?
No, never. Physarum polycephalum is not edible and no food use is documented. It is not dangerous to touch, but it should not be eaten — like most microorganisms studied in biology. Is the blob dangerous? Complete guide
🌾 What should I feed my blob?
Organic oat flakes, only. 2-3 flakes every 2 days at 1 cm from the blob are enough. ⚠️ Never add sugar, chocolate, coffee, meat, fruits — it stresses it or makes it moldy. Your kit includes the amount of oats adapted to the duration of the kit (10 to 30 g depending on the kit). Learn more about maintenance
🚪 Can the blob escape from its box?
No — the closed Petri dish contains it perfectly, and a blob cannot pierce plastic. It may crawl against the lid if you forget to close it (rare), but it dries out quickly outside of its agar. Zero risk of invasion in your kitchen. Adopting a blob as a pet
💸 Are there hidden fees or mandatory refills?
No, your kit is complete. Refills (agar €3, oats €5) are optional — useful only if you keep your blob active for several months. Count €15-25/year if you want to keep it alive continuously. Otherwise, you re-sclerotize it on its filter paper (included) and it waits in dormancy at no cost. The complete budget for a blob over one year
💰 Is the blob refundable if it doesn't wake up?
Our commitment is free replacement (not a refund) — we send you a new sclerotium within 24 hours, you pay nothing more, including shipping costs. That's our "100% awakening guaranteed" policy. Refunding the order remains possible within the framework of your 14-day legal withdrawal period. See our return policy
🎁 Which kit to choose for a 7-8 year old child?
Blob Classic Kit (€23.90) — without hesitation. 4 Petri dishes, 2 experiments (choice + colored diffusion), simple equipment, total safety (no blade, no scalpel). The Solo (€18) has no experiment — less fun. The Discovery (€45) works well for 9-10 year olds and up, more autonomous. Our top 5 science gifts
💬 Another question?
Another question? Write to us at hello@blobfarm.com — response within 24 business hours.
