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MUSHROOM CULTIVATION SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES
 

INOCULATING GRAIN WITH SYRINGES - ORDER SPORES AND SUPPLIES -  Inject spore syringes into sterilized grain bags. Store at room temperature (65-75F) Warmer than this risks contamination. Colder will delay the process. Do not allow the bags to freeze.

FIRST SIGNS OF GERMINATION AND GROWTH - Spots of white growth will appear clumped in about 2 weeks. Massage the clumps and mix the bag by turning and massaging until the white grains are evenly dispersed. DO NOT OPEN THE BAGS. Allow the grain to sit again and wait for the growth to take over the entire bag solid white.

PREPARE FRUITING CONTAINERS – Fruiting containers like tubs and trays work well. Make sure they have drilled holes for aeration and that the holes are filled with either foam OR covered with micropore tape (Paper Bandage tape).

PREPARE YOUR FRUITING SUBSTRATE - Once all white they are ready to transfer to FRUITING MEDIA. The fruiting media can be pasteurized coconut coir, composted manure, or straw. We offer bags of sterilized media here and complete kits. To pasterurize your own media you will need to soak your bulk fruiting media in hot water (160-180f) for several hours, drain well, and allow to cool.

MAKING MONOTUBS - Massage the grain bag, keeping it closed, until most of the grains are separated and moving freely. Use about 2 cups of grain (1.25 pounds) for every 32 quart tub you make. A colonized 2.5 pound bag of grain can inoculate 10 pounds of wet substrate, divided into many smaller containers as well (or make 2 large monotubs!)

STORING AND INCUBATING MONOTUBS – For about two weeks the grain will now be growing in your tub and colonizing all of the fruiting media. It needs to complete this step before fruiting. Place the tubs in a warm (70-80f) space, preferably in the dark for these two weeks, and inspect them every couple days. Once they are close to turning all white on the surface (you will see white cottony to strand threads, sometimes a little bluish), move the bins to the light and we will start the process of fruiting!

FRUITING MONOTUBS – Environment is EVERYTHING. Bright INDIRECT light or LED lights are best. Open and fine mist the tops of the fruiting substrate of your bins, if the susbtrate is very dry pour a cup of water over the entire surface to rehydrate it. Keep the bins misted and in light. A slight drop in temperature from the incubation also helps, 65-75F). Small baby mushrooms with brown caps will form on the surface and sides of the bins. Mist gently twice daily. When the caps are about to open you may harvest before they drop their spores.

HARVESTING – Harvest by twisting and pulling each mushroom by the base to minimize the removal of growing media. DO NOT CUT WITH SCISSORS since this will leave tissue behind that will rot and fungus gnats show up. You may trim the mushrooms once picked of any small bits of fruiting material. The mushrooms can mature large and small depending on when they fruited, first or last. They will all not be the same size. If you see the veil or the cap is flat pick it!

STORING – The best way to preserve your harvest to dry them in a dehydrator. Be careful using ovens if you are drying they may get too hot. Set the dehydrator to no higher than 125F. Dry the mushrooms whole, and check them after about 6 hours, overnight is good. The mushrooms must be super dry, and crumble like crackers. Store in airtight containers at room temperature or in the refrigerator.