Arabidopsis roots growing on top of phytagel in plates

[ara133]

Hey all! I am running into some inconsistencies when growing arabi on gel plates. I use a 2% phytagel in square plates, start them off flat for 3d then tip at 45deg angle so that the roots grown down against the bottom of the plate, UNDER the gel. I'm running into quite a few plants that show roots growing on TOP of the gel, instead of burrowing down underneath... About 1/2 of my plants end up with the root system on top of the gel instead of under the gel against the inside wall of the plate. Anyone else have this issue?

[danfive]

I just kept them flat, no tilting and never saw this problem.

[ara133]

danfive, interesting, I've tried flat as well and they very often seem to grow on top of the gel instead of underneath. I wonder if my gel is too hard...
thanks!
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