Signature Grow Kits
Advanced Grow Kits: Mastery in Mushroom Cultivation Awaits
Embark on the pinnacle of the mushroom cultivation experience with our Advanced Grow Kits! These kits are reserved for the true aficionados and those eager to immerse themselves fully in the intricacies of fungal growth.
We provide you with a sterile substrate and a liquid culture of your chosen mushroom species, putting the reins of inoculation directly in your hands. Utilizing the provided syringe, you'll introduce the mycelium to its new home, kickstarting a captivating journey from colonization to fruition.
Packaged in our eco-friendly, repurposed burlap coffee sacks, every element of this kit resonates with our unwavering commitment to sustainability and authenticity. This isn't just a kit; it's an invitation to refine your skills, understand the nuances, and truly connect with the art of mushroom cultivation.
For those ready to embrace the full spectrum of the fungal world, the Advanced Kit promises an unparalleled experience.
Before You Start
Some Useful Terms
-
Flush - A mushroom flush refers to a distinct period or wave of mushroom fruiting. Mushrooms don't all fruit at once, instead, they tend to produce mushrooms in waves or cycles, known as flushes.
-
Fruiting - The stage of mushroom growth where the actual mushrooms are formed. During this phase, growers adjust environmental conditions (like introducing fresh air, adjusting light, or maintaining specific humidity levels) to encourage the mycelium to produce mushrooms.
-
Grow Bag/Grow Kit - This is the plastic bag you have containing the coffee grounds and where you will be growing your mushrooms.
-
Mycelium - Intricate, thread-like network of cells that constitutes the main body of a mushroom responsible for nutrient absorption and growth. Think of this as the root structure of the mushrooms. Mycelium is white in color.
-
Substrate - The nutritive material on which mycelium grows and mushrooms fruit. The substrate in our grow kits is primarily made from used coffee grounds.
While Growing, be on the Lookout for:
Something Bad: Contamination
There is always a chance that a grow kit can become contaminated due to contaminating fungi (or mold) always floating in the air. We do our best to eliminate this, but there is no absolute way to eliminate this risk. Be on the lookout for anything growing on your block that looks unusual and/or is not white in color. If you see a yellowish liquid, that is likely mushroom metabolites (see below) and it perfectly normal. Contaminating fungi are usually blue, green, or gray in color. If you do see any contamination, it is best to throw away (or compost) your kit immediately and reach out to us for a refund or replacement. Below is an example of what contamination may look like:
Something Good - Mushroom metabolites (aka mushroom pee)
A byproduct produced by mushrooms during their growth and metabolic processes. As mushrooms digest and break down the substrate (coffee grounds) they are growing on, they release certain waste products, much like how animals excrete waste. These metabolites can sometimes appear as a yellowish liquid on the surface of the growing medium or around the base of the mushroom. While the presence of this liquid can be alarming to new growers, it's a natural part of the mushroom's growth cycle and is generally not a cause for concern. However, excessive amounts can be an indication of overly wet conditions, which might need adjustment to prevent potential contamination or growth issues. If there are an excess amount of metabolites present, please reach out.
Ok, Let's Start Growing!!
Step 1
It's time to start your mushroom growing journey. This step is as simple as it gets. Just remove the plastic bag, full of sterile coffee substrate, from the burlap packaging bag and then move to step 2
Step 2
Syringe with needle (this option should only be performed by adults):
-
Carefully remove the needle (with the plastic cap still attached) from the sterile paper packaging with out touching the end that will screw into the syringe. Remove the plastic cap of the syringe to allow for the syringe to be attached. While the plastic cap is still on the needle, attach to the syringe, making sure to twist the needle clockwise until it is completely screwed on to the syringe.
-
Pick a location to inject the mushroom liquid culture into the bag. This should be about an inch below the substrate surface, on the side of the bag. Wipe down the injection site with alcohol or a cleaning product (this reduces contamination risk).
-
Carefully remove the plastic cap covering the needle. Be sure to not let the metal touch any other surfaces as this can contaminate the needle. Carefully insert the metal needle into the injection site cleaned in the previous step. Press down on the syringe plunger slowly to release all of the liquid into the substrate bag. While releasing the liquid, move the needle in the bag from side to side and up and down slowly to help distribute the liquid. Once all liquid has been injected, move to the next step.
-
Remove the syringe + needle from the substrate bag.
-
Dispose of the syringe + needle in the appropriate way according to your state's laws and regulations. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECAP YOUR NEEDLE AS THIS MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENTALLY STABBING YOURSELF! For reference, here are needle disposal recommendations for California and the FDA. Click them to open:
-
Cover the injection site with tape to reduce contamination risk.
Syringe with no needle (this option can performed by adults or older children with adult supervision):
-
Pick a location to inject the mushroom liquid culture into the bag. This should be about an inch below the substrate surface, on the side of the bag. Wipe down the injection site with alcohol or a cleaning product (this reduces contamination risk).
-
You will need to make a hole of the side of the bag. This is easiest with scissors. Carefully clean the scissors with alcohol or cleaning product. Once, cleaned, make a small hole on the side of the bag. The hole should be smaller than 1 inch by 1 inch in size.
-
Carefully remove the plastic cap of the syringe. Place the syringe at the injection site opening, physically pushing it in. Press down on the syringe plunger slowly to release all of the liquid into the substrate bag. While releasing the liquid, move the syringe side to side and up and down slowly to help distribute the liquid. Once all liquid has been injected, move to the next step.
-
Remove the syringe from the substrate bag. It is ok to dispose of the syringe in a regular trash can.
-
Cover the injection site with tape to reduce contamination risk.
Step 3
At this stage of the mushroom's lifecycle, it prefers to be in dark place with relatively stable temperature. During this step, the mushroom root structure, mycelium, grows throughout the coffee grounds. As it grows, the coffee grounds will start turning white. The grow kit should stay in the dark storage place until ~80% of the block is white. The time it takes for this colonization period varies based on species. The faster growing mushrooms (ex: oyster mushrooms) may only take 2-3 weeks in this stage. The slower growing species, like Lion's Mane, may take ~2-3 months in this stage.
Step 4
Move: Make sure to move the grow kit into an area with indirect sunlight, ideally a table or kitchen counter.
Examine: Before making any cuts, carefully inspect the outside of the mushroom block to see if there are any areas where the mushroom has already begun to fruit. Look for tiny white or brown bumps or protrusions, which are signs of initial mushroom growth.
Cut: If you've identified an area where the mushroom has started fruiting, that's where you'll want to cut. - If not, choose a side of the block that looks most promising or is easiest to access. - Using a sharp, sanitized knife or scissors, carefully cut an 'X' shape or a hole in the plastic bag, ensuring it's large enough to allow adequate air exchange but not so large that the substrate dries out quickly.
What happens now? - The fresh air exchange through the opening you've just created is crucial for signaling the mushroom to start its fruiting process. In the next steps you will begin misting the mushroom, giving it fresh water and helping it begin fruiting.
Step 5
Mist: Over the next days or weeks (depending on the mushroom species), you need to mist the opening lightly with water two-three times daily. This helps in maintaining humidity and provide the mushroom water, which is crucial for mushroom fruiting. If possible, use filtered or distilled water for misting.
Step 6
Monitor Growth: Over the next few days/weeks, you should start to see the mushrooms fruiting and growing through the opening. Ensure the substrate remains moist, but not soggy, and provide the necessary light and air circulation as recommended for your specific mushroom species.
Step 7
Harvest: Congratulations! you made it to the final stage. You will now be able to harvest your mushroom to cook. The easiest way to remove the mushroom from the block is to grab it with your hand and gently twist it until it tears off at the base. If this doesn't seem to work, you can always use scissors to remove the mushroom completely.
Clean: Once you remove the mushroom, be sure to examine it for loose pieces of substrate (coffee grounds). The mushroom grows so quickly it will sometimes pickup some up the substrate. These pieces should easily come out with some light brushing or a quick wash under the sink.
Cook: Now you can enjoy you can cook your mushroom in a meal.
Step 8
Option A (Let's try that again): There is a possibility for a "second flush" or "third flush" of your mushroom. This just means that there is still enough nutrients in the substrate to allow the mushroom to fruit again. If you would like to try this you can return to step 4 to see if another mushroom begins fruiting. If you are able to get another flush, expect the mushroom to be less than half the size of the previous flush. Here is ideal example: the first flush yields 1 pound of mushroom, the second flush yields 1/2 pound of mushroom and the third flush yields 1/4 pound of mushroom.
Option B (Compost time!): If you are done with the kit you can compost the entire substrate block (minus the plastic bag). The block can go directly into a compost container or can be broken up and spread in your garden.
