MOUNTING SPORES ON GLASS SLIDES

The procedure to mount spores on slides described here are based on the assumption that PVLG-based mountants are being used:

	Place a coverslip gently on drop of PVLG and press lightly. Place another coverslip on drop of PVLG and Melzer's Reagent.
	Add two small drops (0.5-0.75 cm in width) to slide, one of PVLG and the other of PVLG + Melzers reagent. Add spores, keeping water to a minimum if using pipette. Let stand for at least 5 minutes to let surface of drop dry slightly (increasing viscosity of edges, reducing flow when coverslip is added).
	Place a coverslip gently on drop of PVLG and press lightly. Place another coverslip on drop of PVLG & Melzer's reagent.
click for larger photo	Using the blunt tip of a pencil, forcep, or needle, press directly on each coverslip over individual spores. When this is done under a dissecting microscope, each spore can be crushed to varying degrees (thus exposing hard-to-see thin flexible inner layers if present). Add more mountant to edge if needed to fill in. After 5 days at room temp or two days at 60 C, mountants harden.
click for larger photo	The slide label should include as a minimum the following information: (1) genus name and specific epithet if known, (2) date, (3) code number for culture of origin. More detailed information on source of the specimen is needed if a code number is not linked to a specimen database or some other record-keeping method. Slides are stored flat in aluminum trays in oak boxes and organized by genus and species.