Lets Get growing: mushroom grow kit guide

Dreamed of cultivating your own batch of mushrooms? Well, with sunny summer days upon us, it's the ideal moment to dive into the magical world of mushroom growth. 

 

Getting into the art of mushroom cultivation is simpler than you might think. This guide breaks down the process step by step, guiding you to have a flourishing  grow kit, spore print, or spore vial. It doesn't matter if you're an expert cultivator aiming to sharpen your skills or a newcomer seeking some direction – we've got you covered.

 

The journey of magic mushroom cultivation traces back through ancient history. Many cultures across time harnessed these mystical fungi for spiritual, shamanistic, and ceremonial purposes. See below for an example of mushroom worship from ancient Guatemala. These indigenous communities in Mesoamerica integrated specific psilocybin-rich mushrooms into their sacred rituals and religious observances. Though the roots of these practices likely stretch back centuries, precise timelines prove elusive due to the lack of written records from that era.

 

 

Zooming into more modern times, the allure of cultivating magic mushrooms for recreation and therapy blossomed during the mid-20th century. The inaugural instances of deliberate psilocybin mushroom cultivation date back to the early 1900s, with curious individuals dabbling in personal growth attempts. However, widespread cultivation and a surge in popularity truly blossomed in the mid-20th century, catalyzed by the counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s

 

 

 

Ready to start growing?

Let’s get into it. A heads-up- throughout this guide you may come across some terms that are new and unknown, that's why we created a key-word guide at the end of this article for you to better understand. 

Click here to jump to growing with a grow kit guide.

Click here to jump to growing with a spore vial guide.

Click here to jump to growing with a spore print guide.

Click here to jump to our keyword guide.

Grow kit guide 

Pros: Convenience: Ready-to-go kits come with everything you need pre-packaged, making it easy for beginners to start growing mushrooms without extensive knowledge or equipment. Predictable Results: Kits are designed for consistent and reliable results, often yielding a decent harvest even for those with limited experience. Time-Saving: Kits can save time compared to starting from spores, as they are pre-inoculated with mycelium (the mushroom's vegetative growth stage). Minimal Equipment: Most kits require minimal additional equipment, making it a straightforward option for beginners. Educational: While less involved than starting from spores, kits can still offer some educational value in understanding the basic growth stages of mushrooms.

Cons: Limited Variety: Kits usually offer a limited selection of mushroom species, restricting your options for growing different types. Less Control: You have less control over the growing conditions and substrate composition compared to starting from scratch. Cost: Kits can be more expensive upfront than starting from spores, especially if you plan to grow mushrooms long-term.

This method is the easiest way to grow mushrooms at home and thus an excellent starting point for first time growers. Before you begin make sure that you:

• Have a clean working space such as a dining table or kitchen bench 
• Sterilize your hands up to your elbows
• Make sure there will be no interruptions while you prepare the kit- such as pets or children
• You will need a spray bottle

 

Step 1: Remove the sleeve from the grow kit check for damage. If any part of the kit has been punctured or broken then it is likely the kit has been contaminated and will not grow.

 

Step 2: Gently open a quarter of the lid and fill with clean tap water (only if the water is free from chlorine, if there is chlorine in your tap water then use sterilized water, you can boil tap water and wait for it to cool or use store bought water). Close the lid.

Step 3: Place the kit in a cool place for 9-12 hours 

Step 4: Re-sterilize your environment and thoroughly clean your hands and arms with antibacterial soap. Open up quarter of the lid and gently drain the excess water from the kit, close the lid back down 

Step 5: Fill the plastic bag with 150ml of clean water, place the grow kit on top of the water and remove the lid (store in a safe place as you will need it for future flushes. 

Step 6: Spray the sides of the bag with clean water

Step 7: Roll down the top of the plastic bag and secure with the clip, enough to close any opening but not covering the white filter square (this will act as an air filter for the mushrooms)

Step 8: Place the grow kit in a light environment without direct sunlight

Step 9: After a few weeks little mushrooms will begin to appear, when this happens open up the bag, place your hands just above the grow kit and sandwich the plastic bag between them, gently move your hands up the bag until all the air has been removed, then open the bag back up and re clip with fresh air. 

Step 10. Congratulations!  you have reached the final phase of your mushroom harvest. When the cap of the mushrooms are almost fully open it's time to pick them, gently hold the base of the mushroom and twist. 

If you would like to keep growing you can repeat from step 1, if you want to start at a later date then simply place the grow kit back in a refrigerator and start step 1 when you are ready (no longer than 6 months from the time you purchased the grow kit). 

To see our full range of grow kits click here. 

 

Spore vial guide

 

Pros: Sterile Start: Spore vials provide a sterile source of mushroom spores, reducing the risk of contamination during inoculation. Variety: Similar to spore prints, spore vials offer a wide range of mushroom species to choose from. Customization: You can still have some control over growing conditions and substrate composition, similar to starting from spore prints.

Cons: Skill and Knowledge Required: Like growing from spore prints, using a spore vial requires expertise in sterile techniques and cultivation practices. Initial Investment: The cost of acquiring spore vials and necessary equipment may be higher than using a kit. Time-Consuming: Growing from spore vials also takes time, as you need to wait for mycelium to develop before fruiting.

 

This method can be a great next step for a beginner level grower, it is more difficult than the first method as more care, time and knowledge is required, lets go through the steps; 

 Before you begin make sure that you:

• Have a clean working space such as a dining table or kitchen bench 
• Sterilize your hands up to your elbows
• Make sure there will be no interruptions while you prepare the kit- such as pets or children

You will need 

• A spray bottle
• Sterile substrate in a container (you can make your own or buy a pre-made one)
• 1 clear plastic bag 
• 1 clip / peg 

 

 

Step 1.  Open the spore vial box, inside you will find a syringe, alcohol wipe and a spore vial

Step 2. Prepare. Unpack the syringe and place it upside down on a flat surface with its red protection cap on (this minimises the risk of contamination)

Step 3. Clean. Take out the alcohol swab and clean the rubber top part of the vial and the injection point of the sterile substrate

Step 4. Remove the syringe’s sterile cap, insert into the vial through the rubber top, turn the vial upside down and gently shake the vial around so that you will extract a well distributed amount of spores, pull back the plunger until you have drawn 1-2ml of liquid from the vial.

Step 5. Inoculate. Gently inject the syringe into your sterile substrate, while injecting it rotate the the kit a full 360º to get an even distribution of spores

Step 6. Pack up. Put the protection cap back on the needle, store in a safe place away from children and pets. Store the vial in a safe place in the fridge.

Step 7. Storing the grow kit. Store the substrate in a dark place (cupboards are great).

Step 8. Monitor Colonization:

• Over the next few days check the containers regularly for signs of mycelial growth. Once the substrate is fully colonized, it will appear white and fuzzy all over. You are almost at the final phase!

Step 9. fill a plastic bag with 150ml of clean water, place the grow kit on top of the water and remove the lid (store in a safe place as you will need it for future flushes)

Step 10. spray the sides of the bag with clean water

Step 11. Roll down the top of the plastic bag and secure with the clip, enough to close any opening but not covering the white filter square (this will act as an air filter for the mushrooms)

Step 12: Place the grow kit in a light environment without direct sunlight. Ensure that the environments temperature and humidity will stay stable.

Step 13: After a few weeks little mushrooms will begin to appear, when this happens open up the bag, place your clean hands just above the grow kit and sandwich the plastic bag between them, gently move your hands up the bag until all the air has been removed, then open the bag back up and re-clip with fresh air. 

Step 14: Congratulations, you have reached the final phase of your mushroom harvest. When the cap of the mushrooms are almost fully open it's time to pick them, gently hold the base of the mushroom and twist.

If you would like to keep growing you can repeat from step 1, if you want to start at a later date then simply place the grow kit back in a refrigerator and start step 1 when you are ready. 

To see our full range of spore vials click here. 

Spore Print guide 

 

Pros: Variety: Starting from a spore print allows you to choose from a wide range of mushroom species, including those not available in kits. Customization: You have more control over the growing conditions and substrate composition, allowing you to tailor the environment to specific mushroom requirements. Educational: The process of starting from spores offers a deeper understanding of the mushroom life cycle and cultivation techniques. Cost: Initial costs may be lower than ready-to-go kits, especially if you reuse equipment and materials for subsequent grows.

Cons: Skill and Knowledge Required: Growing from spores requires more expertise in mushroom cultivation, including sterile techniques and a good understanding of environmental conditions. Time-Consuming: Starting from spores takes longer compared to using a kit, as you need to wait for mycelium to colonize the substrate before fruiting. Higher Risk of Contamination: Beginners may face a higher risk of contamination when starting from spores, leading to failed attempts.

 

This method is a more advanced way to grow mushrooms at home. Before you begin make sure you have:

• Spore print
• Sterilized substrate (such as a mixture of grain and vermiculite)
• Sterilized containers (jars, bags, or trays)
• Mist spray bottle
• Clean work area
• Gloves, face mask, antibacterial soap

 

Step-by-Step Guide:

 

Step 1. Prepare Substrate:

Mix your chosen substrate (such as a combination of sterilized grains and vermiculite) in a large container. Or use a pre-prepared substrate box. Make sure the substrate is evenly moistened with clean water.

Step 2. Fill Containers.

Fill sterilized containers (jars, bags, or trays) with the substrate mixture. Leave some space at the top to allow for expansion during the growth phase.

Step 3. Inoculate with Spores:

Working in a clean environment;

Option 1: open the spore print container and gently tap it to release the spores onto the substrate.

Option 2 (recommended):  

A. Start by pouring a small amount of sterile water or sterile nutrient solution into a sterilized jar (glass mason jars work great). This will serve as the base for your spore solution

B. Carefully scrape the spores from the spore print using a sterilized tool (e.g., sterile scalpel or tweezers). Gently tap or scrape the spore print to release the spores into container you prepared in part A. Be cautious not to contaminate the spores.

C. Swirl the mix gently to mix the spores with the solution, creating a spore suspension.

Step 3 Prepare Syringe (if using option 2)

Draw in air into the sterile syringe by pulling back the plunger. Insert the syringe needle into the spore solution in the vial and slowly push the plunger to release the air, allowing the syringe to fill with the spore solution. Inject your sterile substrate, while injecting it rotate the the kit a full 360º to get even distribution of spores

Step 4 Seal and Incubate:

Seal the containers with lids or filter patches and place them in in-direct light. This encourages mycelial growth. A great place for storage can be on a shelf in the kitchen or a cupboard.

Step 5. Monitor Colonization:

Check the containers regularly for signs of mycelial growth. Once the substrate is fully colonized, it will appear white and fuzzy. You are almost at the final phase!

Step 6. Prepare Fruiting Conditions:

Transfer the colonized substrate to a “fruiting chamber”. Create a humid environment with proper ventilation. To do this:

Fill a clean clear plastic bag with 150ml of water

Regardless if you opted for option 1 or 2, simply remove the lid of the container and place it in the bag, seal the bag with a clip or peg.

Step 7. Initiate Fruiting: Provide the appropriate environmental conditions (humidity, temperature, and light) to induce mushroom formation (always check the specific requirements of the strain you have). The mycelium should begin producing mushroom pins, which will eventually grow into mature mushrooms.

Step 8. Harvest and Enjoy:

Once the mushrooms have fully matured (just before the cap opens), carefully harvest them by gently twisting and pulling them from the substrate. Leave some behind for spore production if you wish to collect more spore prints.

Step 9. Clean and Repeat:

• Clean and sterilize the containers and equipment for future use, and repeat the process as desired.

Remember that successful mushroom cultivation requires careful attention to the specific strain you are growing. It's highly recommended to thoroughly research the specific requirements of the mushroom species you intend to grow and to follow established cultivation methods for the best results.

 

 To see our full range of spore vials click here. 

 

A grow kit dictionary

There is a lot to know about the terminology around grow kits, below you'll find a short guide to understanding the terms used in this article.

 

1. Mycelium: The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine, thread-like structures that absorb nutrients from the substrate.

2. Psilocybin: A naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, known for its psychoactive effects.

3. Substrate: The material used as a growing medium for mushrooms, providing nutrients and a suitable environment for mycelial growth.

4. Contamination: The unwanted presence of microorganisms, such as bacteria or mold, that can hinder mushroom growth and spoil the cultivation process.

5. Inoculation: The process of introducing spores or mycelium to a substrate to initiate mushroom growth.

6. Flush: A period during mushroom cultivation when a cluster of mushrooms matures and is ready for harvest. 

7. Fruiting Chamber: A controlled environment where mushrooms are grown during their fruiting stage, often designed to maintain specific humidity and ventilation levels.

8. Spore Print: A collection of spores deposited by a mature mushroom onto a surface, often used to start new mushroom cultures.

9. Sterile Techniques: Practices and procedures used to maintain a contamination-free environment during mushroom cultivation.

10. Fruiting Conditions: Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and light that stimulate mushroom formation.

11. Pins: Small, early-stage mushroom formations that appear as tiny protrusions on the substrate.

12. Synergy: The interaction of different components (such as nutrients or conditions) that together create a more potent or effective result.

13. Cultivation: The deliberate process of growing mushrooms under controlled conditions for desired outcomes.

14. Spore Suspension: A mixture of spores and liquid used for inoculating substrate or growing medium.

15. Vermiculite: A mineral used in mushroom cultivation to improve substrate structure and moisture retention.

16. Colonization: The process in which mycelium spreads and completely occupies the substrate.

17. Fruit Body: The visible part of a mature mushroom that emerges from the substrate, often consisting of a stem and cap.

18. Hydration: Adding moisture to the substrate or growing medium to create a suitable environment for mycelial growth.

19. Contaminant: Unwanted microorganisms or particles that can negatively impact mushroom growth and development.