578 lines
25 KiB
Markdown
578 lines
25 KiB
Markdown
# HomeMyco
|
||
|
||
A [homebrewer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homebrewing)'s take on practical home cultivation of [mycelium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycelium) and their [mushrooms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom).
|
||
You don't have to follow every step in this guide but you should because it's fun.
|
||
|
||
[Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0](LICENSE)
|
||
|
||
# Always a Risk of Contamination
|
||
|
||
Contamination occurs when other microorganisms take advantage of the gratuity you provide for your mycelium.
|
||
There is always a risk that bacteria and mold will invade, competing with your precious mushroom makers.
|
||
|
||
Many guides do everything they can to reduce this risk.
|
||
My approach gives you methods that are still effective but easy and cheap to recover from contaminated spawn.
|
||
|
||
# Do It Thrice
|
||
|
||
As a result of the above hubris we triple our efforts.
|
||
|
||
- Make at least two agar slants or liquid cultures for each sample we wish to test.
|
||
|
||
- Make at least two colonization jars for each sample we wish to colonize.
|
||
|
||
- Make one extra of the above as a control for testing your sanitation.
|
||
|
||
It is OK.
|
||
Bird seed, coconut husk, and sugar water are inexpensive.
|
||
All other equipment can be reused.
|
||
|
||
Saving a control will help you test for contamination introduced through your technique.
|
||
If all fares well you can always end up using it.
|
||
|
||
Spawn medium refers to any nutrient rich growing surface, such as seed grain or culture media.
|
||
|
||
# Finding Samples
|
||
|
||
- [ ] mycelium sample
|
||
|
||
Each section starts with a checklist of what to buy.
|
||
The end of this document has a combined checklist.
|
||
|
||
Newbies should start with grocery store mushrooms.
|
||
This will allow you to walk through the methods without fear of wasting a sample.
|
||
Finding other kinds of mycelium samples is not particularly difficult but it is frustrating to discover all the sanitary precautions were made in vain when a contaminated sample was the source.
|
||
There remains the risk that grocery store mushrooms are contaminated.
|
||
|
||
Online shopping can get you all sorts of mycelium sample types, ranging from spawn grains and liquid culture to spores and dried mushrooms.
|
||
When paying good money for a sample try to find liquid culture as they have a pretty good colonization rate.
|
||
|
||
Eventually you will want to make your own cultures from your harvested mushrooms.
|
||
|
||
# Three Stages
|
||
|
||
There are three general stages to cultivating mycelium.
|
||
|
||
1. [Culturing](#culturing), [wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbiological_culture)
|
||
|
||
- Using simple sugar and agar as a surface to test sample mycelium for viability and contamination.
|
||
|
||
2. [Colonization](#colonization), [wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_(biology)#Microbial_colonies)
|
||
|
||
- Using grain as food source to promote mycelium growth throughout.
|
||
|
||
3. [Fruiting](#fruiting), [wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporocarp_(fungi))
|
||
|
||
- Apply the ideal conditions to fully colonized seed grain to promote the growth of mushrooms.
|
||
|
||
# Sanitize Your Workspace
|
||
|
||
- [ ] empty spray bottles, chemical resistant
|
||
|
||
- [ ] star san, sanitizer
|
||
|
||
The critical time to practice good sanitation is when opening any of your containers and interacting with the spawn medium inside.
|
||
|
||
Clean yourself and work area before working with a mycelium sample or spawn medium.
|
||
All surfaces and tools should be wiped clean then sprayed with a sanitizing solution to soak for at least 2 minute prior to working.
|
||
|
||
Purchase a new spray bottle that is [resistant to chemical reactions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_resistance) for this purpose.
|
||
These can be found at most hardware stores.
|
||
While you are at it you should buy a second spray bottle for misting water during the fruiting stage.
|
||
|
||
If you are working near your living space then a food safe sanitizer like [Star San](https://fivestarchemicals.com/star-san-sanitizer-4-oz) with avoid stinking up the place or contaminating food.
|
||
It is very concentrate, a couple drops into a spray bottle full of water is enough.
|
||
You will know if the solution is diluted enough when it sprays easily and creates small bubbles on the sprayed surface.
|
||
|
||
It is important to note that sanitization is not sterile.
|
||
Star San does not kill all bacteria or mold.
|
||
There is always a risk of contamination.
|
||
|
||
If you have a way to vent your workspace or won't bother anyone else with the fumes you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol instead of star san.
|
||
|
||
Your face, hands, and tools are the major source of contamination.
|
||
Tools can be sterilize in a pressure cooker or [autoclave](#autoclave).
|
||
Your face, hand, and the other hand are a little more difficult to contain.
|
||
|
||
While gloves and a face mask are often recommended, they may be more clumsy to the point of negating any benefit they might provide.
|
||
Face masks do not work unless they provide respiration filtering.
|
||
Gloves only work if they begin sterile and remain sterile.
|
||
|
||
Scrub your hands and forearms with warm water and soap to remove anything that might fall into the spawn medium.
|
||
Avoid touching your spawn medium directly.
|
||
Avoid touching the part of your tools that interact with the spawn medium.
|
||
|
||
Wash and dry your face with warm water and soap to remove anything that might fall off into the spawn medium.
|
||
Combing your hair and wearing a hat helps to reduce the amount of lose hair that might fall into the spawn medium.
|
||
Slow or hold your breath when inoculating spawn medium to avoid shaking.
|
||
|
||
Remember that mistakes happen and they look pretty cool when they do.
|
||
|
||
# Culturing
|
||
|
||
Any samples of mycelium are potentially contaminated.
|
||
Even using a microscope and visually checking the entire sample is tedious, error prone, and impractical.
|
||
A small culture will allow you to grow a test batch of your sample without for a jar of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) to show signs of contamination.
|
||
|
||
Agar gives mycelium and contamination a surface to grow in large enough colonies to view with the naked eye.
|
||
A week of growth is usually long enough to produce colonies which can be identified and transferred to [liquid cultures](#liquid-cultures).
|
||
While petri dishes are part of the usual trappings of cultivating microorganisms, they are fairly high maintenance and better suited for a laboratory environment.
|
||
[Agar slants](#agar-slants) provide the same functionality without the need to seal and re-seal with parafilm.
|
||
|
||
The preferred [culture medium](#culture-media) is [liquid cultures](#liquid-cultures).
|
||
[Liquid cultures](#liquid-cultures) provide a similar micro climate as [agar slants](#agar-slants) with the added benefit of being a much easier for inoculating [grain spawn](#grain-spawn).
|
||
The disadvantage of liquid culture is they are a little difficult to identify contaminations.
|
||
|
||
You may use [agar slants](#agar-slants) to isolate mycelium from contamination before transferring to [liquid cultures](#liquid-cultures).
|
||
Skipping testing on [agar slants](#agar-slants) works well enough as long as you give [liquid cultures](#liquid-cultures) extra time for bacteria to become visible while suspended in water.
|
||
|
||
# Culture Media
|
||
|
||
- [ ] food scale, grams
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 16 oz wide mouth mason jars with lids
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 50 to 100 ml syringes with hollow needles, [autoclavable](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
- [ ] distilled water
|
||
|
||
- [ ] light corn syrup
|
||
|
||
- [ ] diammonium phosphate with urea (optional)
|
||
|
||
- [ ] aluminum foil
|
||
|
||
- [ ] electric pressure cooker, stove top, or [autoclave](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
Imperial | Metric
|
||
-------- | ------
|
||
16 oz | 450 ml
|
||
|
||
## Liquid Cultures
|
||
|
||
Mixing liquid culture is similar to [agar slants](#agar-slants) without needing to cool the test tubes in any particular position.
|
||
A simple sugar like light corn syrup is dissolved in distilled water to provide mycelium calories for reproduction.
|
||
|
||
Ingredient | Mason Jar | Ratio
|
||
---------- | --------- | -----
|
||
water | 300 ml | 100 ml
|
||
simple sugar | 15 g | 5 g
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
1. Fill each 16 oz mason jar with 300 ml water on a food scale.
|
||
|
||
- Grams is the same as milliliters of water at [STP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_conditions_for_temperature_and_pressure).
|
||
|
||
2. Microwave with a safe cover until boiling, about 1 minute.
|
||
|
||
3. Add 15 grams of light corn syrup to warm water and stir for 1 minute with a sanitary utensil.
|
||
|
||
- Optionally add no more than 1 gram of diammonium phosphate (dap) with urea for yeast nutrients.
|
||
|
||
4. Cover jar opening with aluminum foil and [pressure cook](#autoclave) for 25 minutes at 70 kPa (10 psi).
|
||
Allow to cool to room temperature.
|
||
|
||
5. Replace aluminum foil with mason jar lid, screwing closed tightly to prevent spilling.
|
||
|
||
6. Store in a dark cool place until inoculation.
|
||
|
||
7. Daily shake the mason jars daily to release carbon dioxide and oxygenate the water.
|
||
Unscrew the cap and slightly lift the lid to allow the carbon dioxide to escape.
|
||
|
||
## Agar Slants
|
||
|
||
- [ ] agar
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 30 to 50 ml test tubes with screw cap, [autoclavable](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
Agar agar is a plant gelatin that solidifies at room temperature, providing a physical surface that mycelium to colonize.
|
||
When mixed with a simple sugar like light corn syrup this provides mycelium calories for reproduction.
|
||
Malt Extract Agar (MEA) is available premixed fairly cheap online.
|
||
Mixing 2:3 grams ratio of light corn syrup to agar powder is good for saving money by bulk.
|
||
|
||
Scale the following recipe as needed to fill 1/3 of each test tube or 10 ml:
|
||
|
||
Ingredient | Mason Jar | Ratio
|
||
---------- | --------- | -----
|
||
water | 300 ml | 100 ml
|
||
agar | 9 g | 3 g
|
||
light corn syrup | 6 g | 2 g
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
1. Fill a 16 oz mason jar with 300 ml water on a food scale.
|
||
|
||
- Grams is the same as milliliters of water at [STP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_conditions_for_temperature_and_pressure).
|
||
|
||
2. Microwave with a safe cover until boiling, about 1 minute.
|
||
|
||
3. Add 9 g of agar and 6 g of light corn syrup to the warm water and stir well for 1 minute with a sanitary utensil.
|
||
|
||
- Optionally add no more than 1 gram of diammonium phosphate (dap) with urea for yeast nutrients.
|
||
|
||
4. While the MEA solution is still warm, fill a sanitary syringe with the solution.
|
||
|
||
5. Fill a sanitary test tube one third (1/3) capacity and replace the screw cap.
|
||
|
||
6. Place test tubes in an empty mason jar and [pressure cook](#autoclave) for 25 minutes at 70 kPa (10 psi).
|
||
|
||
7. Carefully remove each test tube and place on a flat surface with the screw cap slightly elevated on a dish towel.
|
||
|
||
- Once cooled the agar should solidify into a slanted surface for inoculation.
|
||
|
||
8. Store in a dark cool place until inoculation.
|
||
Do not freeze.
|
||
|
||
## Autoclave
|
||
|
||
[Autoclave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave) is a generic term for pressurized steam chambers for sanitization and sterilization.
|
||
|
||
**All autoclave duration measurements use electric pressure cookers for convenience.**
|
||
|
||
If you have a stove top pressure cooker or industrial autoclave that provide a continuous 100 kPa (15 psi), you may reduce the time by 1/3 for grain spawn.
|
||
|
||
Autoclavable tools are safe to bring to 120 celsius for extended durations without damage.
|
||
|
||
0. Add the steam rack to the inner pot of the electric pressure cooker.
|
||
|
||
1. Add 200 ml of water to the inner pot.
|
||
|
||
2. Insert items to be autoclave on to the steam rack.
|
||
|
||
3. Press `Steam` option and set the appropriate time.
|
||
|
||
4. Turn vent valve to close.
|
||
|
||
5. Once time has completed allow to passively depressurize.
|
||
Venting the valve early may be necessary for working with agar.
|
||
|
||
# Culture Inoculation
|
||
|
||
Once you autoclave your [culture media](#culture-media) and they have cooled to room temperature it is ready for mycelium.
|
||
|
||
Depending on the source of the sample there are two ways to inoculate, [cloning](#cloning) from a mushroom or using [spore samples](spore-samples).
|
||
Newbies should start with [cloning](#cloning) grocery store mushrooms.
|
||
This will allow you to walk through the methods without fear of wasting a spore sample.
|
||
|
||
## Cloning
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 50 to 100 ml syringe with hollow needle, [autoclavable](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
Taking mycelium samples from mushroom tissue is called cloning.
|
||
Piercing the mushroom tissue with a hollow needled syringe is enough to collect a sample.
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
- Sanitize the outside of each [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
|
||
1. Cut the stem off the mushroom with a sanitary knife.
|
||
|
||
2. Pull the plunger of a sanitary syringe to halfway out.
|
||
|
||
3. Plunge a hollow needle tip of the syringe into the center along the length of the stem to collect a small sample.
|
||
|
||
4. Gently push the plunger on the syringe to use air pressure to put the sample into an open [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
|
||
5. Replace the screw cap on the [culture medium](#culture-media) and store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
6. Daily release the pressure within the [culture medium](#culture-media) container by unscrewing the cap.
|
||
|
||
## Spore Samples
|
||
|
||
- [ ] flame or lighter
|
||
|
||
[Spore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus#Spore_dispersal) samples are created by placing a mushroom cap on a flat surface and collecting the spores that are released.
|
||
These are called spore prints.
|
||
Spores can then be added to a syringe of sterile water for ease in shipping.
|
||
|
||
### Spore Syringe
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
- Sanitize the outside of each [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
|
||
1. Using a lighter, heat the spore syringe needle until it glows red. Allow to cool.
|
||
|
||
2. Place a single drop of water from a spore syringe on the [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
|
||
3. Replace the screw cap on the [culture medium](#culture-media) and store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
### Spore Print
|
||
|
||
An inoculation loop maybe useful to apply the spore print samples to a [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
Alternatively use a sanitary sharp knife or scalpel to apply the spore print samples.
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
- Sanitize the outside of each [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
|
||
1. Lightly scrape spores off a print delivery medium with a sanitary sharp.
|
||
|
||
2. Heat the loop element of the inoculation loop using a lighter until it glows red.
|
||
Allow the loop to cool.
|
||
|
||
3. Collect spores on the loop by gently rubbing against the loose spores.
|
||
|
||
4. Insert loop into an open [culture medium](#culture-media) and gently apply spores.
|
||
|
||
5. Replace the screw cap on the [culture medium](#culture-media) and store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
6. Daily release the pressure within the [culture medium](#culture-media) container by unscrewing the cap.
|
||
|
||
## Wood Plugs
|
||
|
||
Mycelium samples are often sold as colonized grain or wood plugs.
|
||
Usually these can be used to inoculate [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) directly.
|
||
Cultures are used to store these samples long-term.
|
||
|
||
Use sanitary tweezers to place a sample in spawn medium.
|
||
|
||
# Reading an Agar Slant
|
||
|
||
[Agar slants](#agar-slants) should show growth within the first week after inoculation and should be monitored for contamination weekly.
|
||
|
||
Mycelium are snowy white with grey and blue tints as normal.
|
||
|
||
Any other colors and you are dealing with contamination.
|
||
Contamination is not the end of the world.
|
||
If enough mycelium growth has occurred that a sample can be collected without touching the contamination then it can be transferred to fresh [agar slants](#agar-slants) and tested again.
|
||
Otherwise, a successful agar slant colony is used to create [liquid culture](#liquid-cultures).
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
- Sanitize the outside of each [culture medium](#culture-media).
|
||
|
||
1. Using a lighter, heat a sharp knife or scalpel until it glows red. Allow to cool.
|
||
|
||
2. Carefully cut a small sample of the mycelium colonized agar off.
|
||
|
||
3. Insert agar sample into an open [liquid culture](#liquid-cultures) to apply spores.
|
||
|
||
4. Replace the screw cap on the [liquid culture](#liquid-cultures) and store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
# Colonization
|
||
|
||
Once the mycelium is successfully isolated in [liquid cultures](#liquid-cultures), the mycelium wants something a bit more nutritious than sugar water.
|
||
Most species have special requirements that encourage the growth of mushrooms.
|
||
Wood-loving species like oyster and shiitake thrive in a mixture of sawdust.
|
||
This guide does not address these special requirements.
|
||
I leave it up to you to research your mycelium species.
|
||
|
||
Mushroom growers have had some success with the much quicker method of inoculating store bought sterilized whole brown rice.
|
||
These are usually sold as
|
||
|
||
> Instant Microwavable Whole Grain Brown Rice
|
||
|
||
For your first time I recommend store bought sterilized whole brown rice to learn the process without worrying about contaminated grain.
|
||
Simply cut a small hole in a corner of the sterile container and follow the instructions for [spawn inoculation](#spawn-inoculation).
|
||
Tape the small hole closed.
|
||
|
||
You should, however, provide mycelium a variety of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) and [substrates](#bulk-substrate) between generations of colonies so the strain does not lose it's ability to digest different sources of nutrition.
|
||
These general instructions are the same for most [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) but the most accessible source of grain spawn is `wild bird seed`.
|
||
|
||
# Grain Spawn
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 16 oz wide mouth mason jars with lids
|
||
|
||
- [ ] wild bird seed with millet
|
||
|
||
- [ ] colander
|
||
|
||
- [ ] boiling pot
|
||
|
||
- [ ] aluminum foil
|
||
|
||
- [ ] electric pressure cooker, stove top, or [autoclave](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
Wild bird seed is dusty and full of bacteria and molds.
|
||
Because the seeds are dry the bacteria has likely [endosporulated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endospore), making it resistant to sanitization.
|
||
Soaking and boiling the bird seed will clean it up a bit and encourage the endospores to reproduce, leaving them weaker to [autoclave](#autoclave).
|
||
|
||
Imperial | Metric
|
||
-------- | ------
|
||
16 oz | 450 ml
|
||
1 cup | 250 ml
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
1. Fill 16 oz wide mouth mason jars with 1 cup of bird seed for each final jar of grain spawn.
|
||
|
||
2. Cover bird seed with tap water, lid jar, and soak for 12 hours or overnight.
|
||
|
||
3. Strain the bird seed with a colander and rinse with water.
|
||
|
||
- Pick out any unwanted bits like twigs or mush.
|
||
|
||
4. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
|
||
|
||
5. Carefully ladle scoop of the grain into the boiling water at a time until all the bird seed is added.
|
||
Let the water return to a boil for no more than 5 minutes.
|
||
|
||
6. Strain again with a colander for 1 hour to dry, stirring occasionally.
|
||
|
||
7. Split evenly to each 16 oz wide mouth mason jar, about 1 cup.
|
||
|
||
8. Cover jar opening with aluminum foil and [pressure cook](#autoclave) for 2 hours.
|
||
|
||
9. Lightly screw lid over the foil to secure it in place without sealing the jar and allow to cool to room temperature.
|
||
|
||
10. Store in a dark cool place until inoculation.
|
||
|
||
# Spawn Inoculation
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 50 to 100 ml syringe with hollow needle, [autoclavable](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
0. [Sanitize Your Workspace](#sanitize-your-workspace).
|
||
|
||
- Sanitize the outside of each jar of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) and [liquid culture](#liquid-cultures).
|
||
|
||
1. With a sanitary syringe extract 1 ml of [liquid culture](#liquid-cultures) and replace the screw top.
|
||
|
||
2. Inject syringe into the jar of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) by carefully piercing the aluminum foil straight down along the inside of the jar.
|
||
|
||
3. Replace the mason jar lid by flipping it so the seal is facing up and lightly screwing on the rim.
|
||
|
||
4. Store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
# Reading a Spawn Jar
|
||
|
||
Similar to [reading an agar slant](#reading-an-agar-slant), [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) should show growth within the first week after inoculation and should be monitored for contamination weekly until it is fully colonized, 2-3 weeks.
|
||
|
||
Mycelium are snowy white with grey and blue tints as normal.
|
||
|
||
Any other colors and you are dealing with contamination.
|
||
Minor contamination is not the end of the world, many colonies can recover.
|
||
|
||
If the jar is fully colonized following a contamination and doesn't smell like rotten apples it can still produce mushrooms.
|
||
|
||
Once the grain in the jar is covered with feathery white mycelium, give it one more week before moving the cakes to [bulk substrate](#bulk-substrate).
|
||
|
||
# Fruiting
|
||
|
||
Getting mycelium to fruit is a labor intensive process.
|
||
Fruiting isn’t necessary for the production of organic compounds.
|
||
You could use food grade grain like steel cut oats or brown rice in [colonization](#colonization) then skip the fruiting stage by waiting until it is fully colonized and dehydrate the mycelium.
|
||
|
||
It is much more appetizing to prepare and consume the fruiting bodies.
|
||
|
||
If you've ever been walking in the woods after a light rain you've probably seen mushrooms peaking up.
|
||
This is because mycelium sense that water is evaporating and wish to take advantage of the updraft to spread their spores.
|
||
|
||
In our fruiting containers we want to mimic that as much as possible with a spray bottle and a light breeze.
|
||
|
||
This can be accomplished by opening a fully colonized [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) jar and misting the mycelium cake with water daily.
|
||
|
||
However, exposing more surface area give the mushrooms more room to sprout.
|
||
|
||
# Bulk Substrate
|
||
|
||
- [ ] coconut coir
|
||
|
||
- [ ] take-out containers, black opaque, polypropylene
|
||
|
||
Earlier it was mentioned that mycelium want a variety of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) and [substrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(biology)) between generations of colonies so the strain does not lose it's ability to digest different sources of nutrition.
|
||
|
||
Once you have practice making [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) you'll want to mix 25% of the substrate chosen for this step to give the mycelium time to produce the right enzymes during colonization.
|
||
|
||
This guide uses coconut husk (coir) mixed with [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) for colonization as a substrate.
|
||
You can also add coffee grounds, sawdust, straw, and rice husks for variety.
|
||
Take caution to only change one thing at a time between generations or you risk overwhelming the mycelium.
|
||
|
||
Many commercial gardening coir are treated with [endophyte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endophyte) to protect plant roots.
|
||
These endophytes do not protect our mushroom roots and will compete for resources like any other contamination.
|
||
|
||
**Coconut coir must be [autoclaved](#autoclave) prior to use.**
|
||
|
||
Take-out containers are available at most grocery or box retailers.
|
||
They must have black opaque bottoms with clear lids, usually made from polypropylene.
|
||
You can tell if they are polypropylene when they are advertised as dishwasher and microwave safe.
|
||
Polypropylene products also carry a recycling #5 designation.
|
||
|
||
0. Soak the coconut coir brick by following the packaging instructions for 12 hours.
|
||
|
||
1. Fill mason jars with the hydrated coconut coir and [pressure cook](#autoclave) for 1 hour and cool to room temperature.
|
||
|
||
2. Layer the bottom of the take-out containers with 2 cm of coconut coir.
|
||
|
||
3. Open and invert a fully colonized [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) jar and firmly but gently tap the mycelium cake out into the open take-out container.
|
||
Gently break up the cake with a sanitary utensil until the mycelium covers the layer of coir.
|
||
|
||
4. Layer the top of the mycelium layer with 2 cm of coconut coir.
|
||
|
||
5. Return the lid to the take-out container and store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
# Fruiting Chambers
|
||
|
||
- [ ] clear plastic tubs with lids, shoebox or larger
|
||
|
||
- [ ] hygrometers
|
||
|
||
Check the mycelium in the take-out containers once a week for contamination.
|
||
Once the top surface of the coconut coir has been covered by feathery white mycelium it is ready to fruit.
|
||
|
||
0. Remove lid from take-out container and place within a clear plastic tub.
|
||
|
||
1. Place a sanitary hygrometer onto the tub where it is visible.
|
||
|
||
2. Replace tub lid and store in ambient room light at room temperature.
|
||
|
||
## Daily
|
||
|
||
Try to maintain at least 80% humidity within the fruiting chamber.
|
||
The water soaked coconut coir should provided more than enough moisture to keep the inside of the clear plastic tubs humid.
|
||
|
||
It is necessary to open at least daily to provide fresh air and to clear out the carbon dioxide produced by the mycelium.
|
||
|
||
0. If needed, gently mist the mycelium cake and surrounding coconut coir a spray bottle of water until humid.
|
||
|
||
1. Fan the tub with the lid for a few moments then replace the tub lid ajar to rest for 1 hour.
|
||
|
||
2. Replace the tub lid and check again daily.
|
||
|
||
Harvest mushrooms after their gills are exposed but before they dump their spores and make a mess.
|
||
|
||
# Checklist
|
||
|
||
- [ ] mycelium sample
|
||
|
||
- [ ] empty spray bottles, chemical resistant
|
||
|
||
- [ ] star san, sanitizer
|
||
|
||
- [ ] food scale, grams
|
||
|
||
- [ ] distilled water
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 16 oz wide mouth mason jars with lids
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 50 to 100 ml syringes with hollow needles, [autoclavable](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
- [ ] electric pressure cooker, stove top, or [autoclave](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
- [ ] light corn syrup
|
||
|
||
- [ ] diammonium phosphate with urea
|
||
|
||
- [ ] agar
|
||
|
||
- [ ] 30 to 50 ml test tubes with screw cap, [autoclavable](#autoclave)
|
||
|
||
- [ ] flame or lighter
|
||
|
||
- [ ] wild bird seed with millet
|
||
|
||
- [ ] colander
|
||
|
||
- [ ] boiling pot
|
||
|
||
- [ ] aluminum foil
|
||
|
||
- [ ] coconut coir
|
||
|
||
- [ ] take-out containers, black opaque, polypropylene
|
||
|
||
- [ ] clear plastic tubs with lids, shoebox or larger
|
||
|
||
- [ ] hygrometers
|