live samples

[starguy75]

Other than water from the river what are some other live samples I can either order online or find in my home that I can examine with my compound microscope? Just looking for general observation fun.

[Jonnyvine]

Do you have access to moss nearby?

You could try taking a sample of moss and placing it in a small plastic cup of water, then waiting for a few days for microbes to grow from it.

I found lots of rotifers starting to grow from this stuff.

[starguy75]

Do you have access to moss nearby?

You could try taking a sample of moss and placing it in a small plastic cup of water, then waiting for a few days for microbes to grow from it.

I found lots of rotifers starting to grow from this stuff.

moss as in pete moss used to grow plants from seeds? those little jiffy things that you add water into earth pellets and expand?

[Jonnyvine]

It think more like this...

[JimT]

Check out this article-BTW, grass works as well as hay.

http://www.microbehunter.com/making-a-hay-infusion/

Also look up other sites by doing an online search.

Do you have any potted house plants? Over water one and let the water drain through the pot and collect in a container. You should find lots of microorganisms.

[starguy75]

thanks for the tip

[KurtM]

+1 on moss.

Check water from everywhere ... birdbaths, horse troughs, ditches, whatever.

Spring is upon us, might want to check out pollen. Although perhaps not quite what you meant, it's a living thing, and an endlessly fascinating subject should it catch your fancy.

[Pat Thielen]

+1 on moss.

Check water from everywhere ... birdbaths, horse troughs, ditches, whatever.

Spring is upon us, might want to check out pollen. Although perhaps not quite what you meant, it's a living thing, and an endlessly fascinating subject should it catch your fancy.

I found an incredible populations of rotifers in my birdbath just this past Fall when it was have covered in ice. You can find micro-critters pretty much everywhere (because they are).